In France, the Parliament approved the controversial euthanasia law. The law, which is opposed by the conservative community and the Catholic Church, is subject to strict conditions in practice. The French parliament approved the "assisted death" bill after a session with intense debate on Wednesday. Lawmakers approved the bill by a vote of 291 to 241, which would give adult patients with no chance of recovery access to lethal drugs under strict conditions.
According to the law, in order for euthanasia to be applied, the patient must suffer from an advanced or terminally fatal disease and be able to make his/her decision freely and consciously.
In addition, it is required that the drug that will kill the patient be given by the person concerned or, if he is physically unable to do so, by the medical staff. Before this stage, more than one doctor must review and approve the assisted death application. In addition, if the consent is given, the patient is required to be given two days to think thoroughly about his decision.
According to surveys, the majority of the French population supports the new regulation, while some doctors, conservative politicians and the Catholic Church react to the law.
Former French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau argued that a society should protect and care for the weakest and never leave them to die. Supporters of the law, on the other hand, say that it is right to give patients who have no chance of recovery the freedom to make decisions about themselves at the end of their lives.
The conservative-dominated Senate had previously voted against the bill. However, in France, the French National Parliament, which is the lower house, has the final say in the legislative process. The euthanasia law will be finally examined by the French Constitutional Council, and if it is deemed unconstitutional, necessary corrections will be made.