MPs approve a crucial article establishing the right to assisted dying.

The deputies approved, on Saturday, May 17, the creation of a “Right to help die”. This pivotal legislation stipulates that patients must self-administer the lethal substance, except in cases where they are unable to do so. The article establishing this right was adopted with a vote count of 75 in favor and 41 against. A vote on the entire text related to “the right to help to die” is scheduled for May 27.

The assembly reverted to the version approved in a mid-April committee session, which allowed individuals seeking assistance the choice of self-administration or administration by medical staff. A government amendment was adopted on Saturday, clarifying that assistance will only be provided if the patient “is not able to physically proceed”, thus returning to the initial version.

“The government’s position is to say [that] the principle is self-administration, the exception is support,” stated Health Minister Catherine Vautrin in the assembly.

Many deputies described this amendment as a “breaking point which upsets the balance of the text,” according to Horizons MP and former Health Minister Agnès Firmin Le Bodo, who emphasized the significance of “listening to caregivers in the construction of this text.”

Conversely, Olivier Falorni, the bill’s author and rapporteur, voiced his “disagreement” regarding the questioning of “free choice,” reminding that it was a “crucial point” highlighted during the citizen convention initiated by the President of the Republic.

“I fear,” explained Mr. Falorni, “that a patient who has consented, who says ‘yes doctor, I want it, I persist, I maintain, I want help to die,’ may ultimately be unable to proceed for various reasons,” including factors like “anxiety” or “stress.”

“Law” against “Freedom”

According to Catherine Vautrin, self-administration represents the patient’s will to die until the last moment. However, she suggested that “perhaps in the case of a patient who expressed the desire to self-administer but finds themselves unable to do so while drinking or injecting the product might warrant support at that time.”

An amendment allowing close relatives to administer the lethal product was rejected. Similarly, another amendment aimed at enabling assistance based on early guidelines was also dismissed.

In the morning session, deputies deliberated over the definition of helping to die, examining semantics, as certain opponents attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to replace terms like “assisted suicide” and “euthanasia.” Others sought to challenge the very notion of a “right” to die, arguing that this term exceeded acceptable limits, advocating instead for a “freedom” that suggests option rather than obligation.

The bill encountered similar setbacks while attempting to refine the concept of “active” assistance to die. “Help to die exists. All doctors and nurses facilitate death. We help without causing death,” expressed Philippe Juvin (Les Républicains). “Administering a lethal substance — in what context is this assistance?” questioned Christophe Bentz (National Rally).

Beyond political differences, the aid bill is expected to face extensive debate, specifically regarding access criteria. Approximately 1,839 amendments still await examination.