The French Senate rejected the law on assisted suicide after a heated and emotional debate, the proposal now returns to the National Assembly, where it can be approved without the consent of the senators. A possible approval would mean a fundamental social change in the country.
The upper chamber of the French Parliament (Senate) on Wednesday rejected the bill on assisted suicide. TASR informs about it based on the AFP report.
The proposal was approved by the National Assembly in May 2025. However, the debate in the upper chamber was accompanied by anger and shouting. “The debate, which should have remained dignified and deeply humanistic, has turned into a dogmatic and political battle,” declared Patrick Kanner, head of the Socialist Party (PS) in the Senate.
The Senate rejected the proposal
181 senators voted against the draft law, 122 were in favor. The document will thus return to the National Assembly next month. The government can allow the lower chamber to finally approve the legislation even without the consent of the Senate.
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to push for an assisted suicide law ahead of his re-election in 2022. He has hinted that a referendum could be held if parliament blocks it.
According to AFP, the prospect of allowing assisted suicide was seen in French society as the biggest social change since same-sex marriage was legalized in 2012. Assisted suicide has already been legalized in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada.
