French parliament approves assisted dying bill

The French lower house passed a bill allowing medically assisted suicide for patients with terminal illnesses, with a vote of 291 in favor and 241 against. The legislation applies only to adult French citizens or legal residents who are suffering from a serious, life-threatening condition in an advanced or terminal stage. Patients must be capable of expressing a clear and free choice, and their condition must involve constant physical or mental suffering. Mental illness alone does not qualify an individual for this procedure. The substance can be administered by the patient themselves or, if they are physically unable to do so, by a doctor or nurse. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that the bill will be submitted to the Constitutional Council, which has one month to evaluate its compliance with the French constitution. Recent polling, including an Ifop survey from February, indicates that 84% of the public supports the measure. Proponents argue the law provides autonomy to those in end-of-life pain, while the process remains subject to strict legal conditions.