The debate, which has lasted for 50 years, took its first step on May 27: With the votes of 305 deputies and 199 against, the law that allows the person who wants to die to be helped to do so has been approved. They have given importance to words and concepts, using, for example, “self-administration of the potentially fatal product.”

There are a number of requirements that must be met if you want to take advantage of this opportunity. The person must choose this will “freely and with full clarity”, must be of age and must have French citizenship, a serious illness that cannot be cured and in an advanced or terminal phase. All this, together, must prove physical or psychological suffering in order to be able to ask for help in dying.

For those who try to prevent the will of those who take advantage of this opportunity, the law provides for a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine of up to 30,000 euros. This point has also been the subject of debate in the assembly.

Types of palliative care

The law also includes another section related to palliative care. In essence, the Act provides for measures to regulate and improve access to treatment to alleviate suffering. This paragraph was adopted unanimously by the Members of Parliament.

The law still has a way to go. He's coming to the Senate in the fall and then he's going back to the Assembly. According to the Minister of Health, on the way well it would enter into force in 2027, in the fastest case.