End-of-Life Care: French National Assembly Approves Bills on Assisted Dying and Palliative Care in First Reading

A major legislative step in France’s end-of-life debate. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, after two weeks of intense discussions, the National Assembly passed two key bills in their first reading: one establishing a right to assisted dying, the other aiming to improve access to palliative care.

The first bill, sponsored by MoDem deputy Olivier Falorni, was approved with 305 votes in favor and 199 against. It would authorize, under strict conditions, adults residing stably in France and suffering from a serious, incurable illness in an advanced or terminal phase to request a lethal substance. The patient’s will must be clearly and freely expressed and assessed by a panel of medical professionals. The bill also includes a mandatory reflection period, ethical safeguards, and a conscience clause for healthcare workers.

A Second Bill Unanimously Approved

In parallel, lawmakers unanimously adopted – 560 votes in favor – a bill put forward by Renaissance deputy Annie Vidal to strengthen palliative care. It introduces an “enforceable right” to such care, obligating regional health agencies to ensure availability nationwide. It also provides for the creation of dedicated end-of-life care facilities.

No Voting Instructions, but Deep Political Divides

Unusually, political groups issued no official voting instructions, allowing each MP to vote or abstain freely. This openness revealed internal divisions within parties. While most deputies from the left and center supported the right to assisted dying, it faced strong opposition from right-wing and far-right MPs. For instance, National Rally’s Jean-Philippe Tanguy voted in favor, while Marine Le Pen expressed her opposition.

The bill also sparked debate within the executive branch. François Bayrou voiced his concerns on BFMTV-RMC, particularly about the ambiguity of a proposed new offense of obstructing access to assisted dying, punishable by up to two years in prison and a €30,000 fine. Meanwhile, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin defended what she described as a “strictly regulated French model” of assisted dying.

Next Stop: The Senate – or Possibly a Referendum

The legislative journey is far from over. The bill will now move to the Senate, where the center-right majority is expected to be more hesitant. A first reading in the upper house is anticipated this fall, followed by a potential return to the Assembly in early 2026. Minister Vautrin emphasized the need to “continue this path with the same attentiveness and willingness to reach a consensus.”

President Emmanuel Macron has also warned that if parliamentary gridlock persists, he may consider putting the issue to a national referendum — something he described in a May 13 interview on TF1 as “a possible way to break the deadlock.”