The first step towards introducing euthanasia in France was taken by the parliament on Saturday, May 17th, by approving a landmark provision establishing the “right to assisted dying.”
This reaffirms the principle that patients must self-administer the lethal substance. A doctor or nurse may only assist if the patient is physically unable to self-administer.
The article was passed with 75 votes in favour and 41 against. A full vote on the complete text is scheduled for May 27th.
As we recently reported, the issue of euthanasia has been on the French parliament’s agenda for many months, and has evoked a tense debate.
