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French Government Splits End-of-Life Legislation into Two Separate Proposals

The National Assembly will vote in May on distinct bills addressing palliative care and assisted dying, sparking debate within the government and among lawmakers.

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Patrick Mignola, le ministre des Relations avec le Parlement, à Paris le 19 février 2025.

Overview

  • The French government has decided to split its end-of-life legislation into two separate bills: one focusing on palliative care and the other on assisted dying.
  • Both bills will be introduced by individual deputies rather than the government, with Olivier Falorni sponsoring the assisted dying proposal and Frédéric Valletoux handling the palliative care bill.
  • The two proposals will be debated concurrently in the National Assembly starting May 12, with a final vote scheduled for late May.
  • Prime Minister François Bayrou's decision to separate the proposals has been supported by opponents of euthanasia but criticized by advocates who fear it could stall progress on assisted dying legislation.
  • The move has also created divisions within the government, as Health Minister Catherine Vautrin and Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet have expressed preferences for a single, unified bill.