France’s National Assembly has voted to create a right to assisted dying under strict conditions, after years of debate and changes to the proposals.<\/p>\n
MPs voted by 291 to 241 to back the bill, which had been rejected three times by the upper house of parliament, the Senate.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu is set to refer parts of the bill to France’s Constitutional Council for examination before it can become law.<\/p>\n
It would allow assisted dying for French adults with a “serious and incurable” life-threatening illness “in an advanced or terminal stage”. The illness would need to leave them in constant physical or psychological suffering that is unbearable or resistant to treatment.<\/p>\n
The patient would need to “freely manifest his or her intention” to a doctor, who would then make a decision after consultation within 15 days.<\/p>\n
After two days of reflection, the patient would have to administer a lethal substance themselves. If they were unable to do so, it could be done by a doctor or nurse. <\/p>\n
The patient’s decision to go ahead with the procedure would have to be verified by the physician on the day.<\/p>\n
Wednesday’s vote means France could join several other European countries that have decriminalised assisted dying in some form.<\/p>\n