The French National Assembly on Wednesday was poised to advance a controversial bill that would enshrine assisted dying as a legal “right,” moving the country closer to a practice that critics warn devalues human life and risks vulnerable populations.

Although the legislation cleared its final parliamentary hurdle in the lower house, it has not yet become law. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has referred the bill to the Constitutional Council, France's highest constitutional authority, for review, leaving open the possibility that parts of the legislation—or the entire text—could be challenged before implementation.

The bill's author, Olivier Falorni, described the vote as the culmination of more than a decade of campaigning, calling it the end of "14 years of parliamentary battles" over assisted dying. Supporters argue the legislation provides a carefully regulated framework for terminally ill patients experiencing unbearable suffering.

However, the proposal has drawn determined resistance from pro-life advocates, who argue that legalizing assisted dying fundamentally changes the role of medicine from preserving life to intentionally ending it. Opponents also warn that vulnerable patients—including the elderly, disabled, and those suffering from depression or social isolation—could face subtle pressure to choose death rather than continued care.

The Senate, where conservative parties hold greater influence, rejected the legislation earlier in the legislative process. Nevertheless, under France's Constitution, the government allowed the National Assembly to have the final say, bypassing the Senate's refusal.

Lecornu's office said the Constitutional Council's review was warranted because the legislation had not undergone sufficient parliamentary scrutiny after failing to secure agreement in the upper chamber. The Council's decision will be legally binding and could uphold the law, strike down specific provisions, or invalidate the legislation altogether.

Under the proposed law, assisted dying would be available only to adults diagnosed with an incurable illness who are deemed capable of making a free and informed decision. Patients would also need to demonstrate that they are suffering from pain considered unbearable or resistant to treatment, or that they have chosen to discontinue medical care.

Applications would be evaluated by a physician, who would verify eligibility after consulting a multidisciplinary panel. The final decision would rest with the attending doctor. In most cases, patients would be required to administer the lethal substance themselves, although medical personnel could assist individuals who are physically incapable of doing so.

Supporters maintain that the legislation contains strict safeguards designed to prevent misuse. Former Health Minister Agnès Firmin Le Bodo described the measure as "balanced," arguing that it respects patient autonomy while imposing rigorous medical oversight.

Critics, however, contend that no legal safeguards can eliminate the ethical risks associated with intentionally ending human life. Many pro-life organizations argue that expanding access to high-quality palliative care, pain management, psychological support, and hospice services offers a more compassionate response to suffering than assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Conservative lawmakers echoed those concerns during parliamentary debates. Christophe Bentz of the National Rally warned that the legislation remains "very dangerous" and could open the door to abuses despite its eligibility requirements.

Outside parliament, religious organizations and pro-life groups staged demonstrations opposing the bill, urging lawmakers to reject what they described as a historic departure from France's longstanding commitment to protecting human life. Organizers argued that the state's priority should be strengthening palliative care services rather than creating a legal pathway to medically assisted death.

President Emmanuel Macron first pledged to introduce assisted dying legislation after securing a second presidential term in 2022, presenting it as a major social reform. If the Constitutional Council upholds the law and it ultimately enters into force, France would join a small group of countries that have legalized some form of assisted dying, marking one of the country's most significant ethical and medical policy changes in recent decades.

The Constitutional Council is expected to examine whether the legislation complies with France's constitutional principles before issuing its ruling in the coming weeks. (ILKHA)