The National Assembly adopted on Friday, February 20, a key article of the end-of-life aid law, removing the notion of 'constant suffering' from the eligibility criteria. The text defines five cumulative conditions for patients, approved by 55 votes to 31. Debates continue on other procedural aspects.
The National Assembly is examining the end-of-life aid law in its second reading, following its rejection in the Senate. On Friday morning, deputies approved by 55 votes to 31 the article establishing five cumulative criteria to claim this right. These conditions require the patient to be of legal age, French or residing in France, suffering from a 'serious and incurable condition' that 'endangers vital prognosis' in an advanced or terminal phase, capable of expressing their will freely and informedly, and presenting physical or psychological suffering that is either refractory to treatments or unbearable.
The main change concerns this last criterion: initially, the suffering had to be 'constant,' but amendments from socialist and La France insoumise (LFI) deputies, supported by the government, removed it. René Pilato (LFI) defended the modification, arguing: 'Imposing this word means reducing the possibility of granting [this right] when we are unable to measure it scientifically and physically.' Health Minister Stéphanie Rist added: 'Pain anyway oscillates throughout the same day.'
Opposition voices were raised. Nathalie Colin-Oesterlé (Horizons) advocated keeping the precision, stating 'there is no legal insecurity.' Théo Bernhardt (National Rally, RN) called the change 'madness.'
Another point of contention involves psychological suffering: amendments aiming to specify that it could not alone justify end-of-life aid were rejected, but the government requested a new deliberation scheduled for Tuesday. On Thursday, deputies had already adopted the article creating the right to end-of-life aid. Friday afternoon's examination continues on the modalities of the patient's request, confirmation, and the doctor's assessment.
Le Monde with AFP