Overview

• The National Assembly adopted the assisted dying measure by 305 votes to 199 in its first reading
• To qualify, patients must be adults residing in France who face terminal or advanced incurable conditions with intolerable pain and freely seek lethal medication
• Deputies also unanimously passed a companion palliative care bill designed to strengthen pain relief and uphold patient dignity
• The legislation moves to the Senate for further debate and potential amendment, a process expected to extend over several months under a conservative majority
• Opinion polls show more than 90% of French citizens back legal end-of-life options while religious leaders caution it could expose vulnerable individuals to undue pressure