Overview
- The French National Assembly has approved Article 4, establishing five cumulative conditions for eligibility to assisted dying, with 164 votes in favor and 103 against.
- Key conditions include being at least 18 years old, French nationality or stable residence, a serious incurable condition in an advanced phase, and a free and informed request.
- Amendments were adopted to ensure psychological suffering must be constant and cannot alone justify eligibility, addressing concerns over potential misuse.
- The government clarified the definition of 'phase avancée' as an irreversible health decline affecting quality of life, based on guidance from the Haute Autorité de Santé.
- Over 1,264 amendments remain to be discussed before the full-text vote on May 27, which will mark a critical step in the legislative process for the palliative care and assisted dying bills.