French End-of-Life Law Faces Deadlock Over Proposed Split

Prime Minister François Bayrou's plan to separate palliative care and assisted dying into two laws draws sharp criticism from lawmakers and advocates.

François Bayrou proposes splitting the end-of-life legislation into two separate texts, one for palliative care and another for assisted dying, citing ethical and practical distinctions.
Critics, including over 200 lawmakers led by Olivier Falorni, argue the split risks delaying or derailing the legalization of assisted dying, which they claim is supported by public opinion.
The proposal has created divisions within the French Parliament, with opposition from members across the political spectrum, including the President of the Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet.
Supporters of a unified law emphasize that assisted dying should be viewed as an extension of palliative care, while opponents of legalization express concerns about ethical boundaries and societal impacts.
The government has yet to set a timeline for parliamentary debate, fueling concerns that the issue may be postponed indefinitely despite its urgency for many citizens.

Le Journal du Dimanche