France set to approve assisted dying bill in National Assembly

France’s National Assembly is scheduled to give final approval on Wednesday to a bill that would permit adults with incurable illnesses to obtain lethal medication, marking the culmination of a multi‑year debate over end‑of‑life care. The legislation, which passed the Senate earlier this year, seeks to create a regulated framework allowing physicians to prescribe euthanasia drugs to patients who meet strict medical criteria, including a confirmed diagnosis of a terminal condition and a voluntary, informed request.

Proponents argue the measure aligns France with a growing number of European nations that have legalized assisted dying, while opponents raise ethical concerns and call for additional safeguards. If the Assembly votes in favour, the text will be sent to the President for promulgation and could become law within weeks, potentially reshaping medical practice and patient rights in the country.