PARIS (Reuters) – President Emmanuel Macron announced his support for new end-of-life legislation in France that would allow for “help to die.” He expressed his desire for the government to present a draft bill to parliament in May. This marks a significant shift in France’s stance on medically assisted dying, which has been resisted in the past, partly due to pressure from the Catholic Church.
In 2016, France adopted the Claeys-Leonetti law on the end of life, which permits deep sedation but only for individuals with a short-term prognosis. Macron emphasized that the proposed legislation should not be referred to as euthanasia or assisted suicide, but rather as “help to die.”
The President explained that the legislation would not create a new right or freedom but would establish a previously unavailable option for individuals to request assistance in dying under strict conditions. A medical team would assess and ensure that the decision criteria are met, with eligibility limited to adults capable of making the decision and facing a medium-term life prognosis threat, such as final-stage cancer.
Macron also noted that family members would have the ability to appeal the decision, adding an additional layer of protection. The draft bill is based on the recommendations of a group of 184 randomly selected French citizens who deliberated on the issue. Last year, 76% of the group supported allowing some form of assistance to die for those who desire it.
This move towards end-of-life legislation follows the recent inclusion of the right to abortion in the French constitution, approved by lawmakers earlier this month. Macron’s push for social reforms comes just ahead of the European parliamentary elections in June, where his party is trailing over 10 points behind the far-right Rassemblement National in polls.
President Macron’s decision to support the new end-of-life legislation marks a departure from France’s previous stance on medically assisted dying. As neighbouring countries like Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands have already implemented laws allowing such measures, France is now poised to join them in offering “help to die.”
The proposed bill emphasizes the importance of strict conditions for requesting assistance in dying, ensuring that eligibility is limited to adults with a medium-term life prognosis threat. Maintaining transparency and accountability, a medical team would assess and confirm the decision criteria before permitting the provision of aid.
Incorporating the input of French citizens who deliberated on the issue, the draft bill reflects the majority support for allowing some form of end-of-life assistance for those in need. In addition to establishing legal provisions, the legislation also includes mechanisms for family members to participate in the decision-making process and appeal if necessary.
This legislative development comes amidst President Macron’s broader efforts to position himself as a social reformer ahead of the upcoming European parliamentary elections. With his party facing a significant gap in polls compared to the far-right Rassemblement National, these reforms aim to solidify Macron’s image and attract support from the electorate.
As the draft bill for end-of-life legislation is set to be presented to parliament in May, the French government is taking steps towards offering individuals the option of “help to die” under carefully defined conditions. President Macron’s endorsement of this legislation reflects a significant shift in France’s approach to end-of-life care and underscores the importance of providing compassionate and ethical solutions for those facing terminal illnesses.
(Reporting by John Irish; editing by Giles Elgood)
