Latest news with #AssembléeNationale
LeMonde
2 days ago
- Health
- LeMonde
In Côte d'Ivoire, the dangerous rise of the alcoholic beverage Vody
Letter from Abidjan Caffeine, taurine, lots of sugar, and 18% to 22% vodka. While people in France have only recently discovered Vody – a budget version of the vodka Red Bull cocktail – popular among young people, especially those of Caribbean descent and the West African diaspora, the drink has long been a staple in Côte d'Ivoire. The government even banned its importation into Côte d'Ivoire in October 2023 after the so-called "Gaddafi" trend, in which young internet users filmed themselves swallowing Tramadol, a powerful painkiller, washing it down with large amounts of Vody. The combination led to incidents among some of Abidjan's most underserved youth. Despite news reports and articles, the drink's popularity has shown no signs of waning. This has raised concerns for French Health Minister Yannick Neuder, who addressed the issue on May 21, speaking in the Assemblée Nationale after a question from Guadeloupe MP Olivier Serva. Calling Vody a "real scourge," Neuder condemned "extremely aggressive marketing targeting our youth, with impacts on their health, including cardiovascular and neurological effects," and said he was considering banning the product, or even pushing for European-level regulation.
LeMonde
3 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Assisted dying could soon become legal in France. This MP was the driving force
In the café of the Assemblée Nationale on Monday, May 26, Olivier Falorni was frequently interrupted as he spoke – either by a fellow MP, stopping by to congratulate him with a handshake, or by one of the many journalists who asked him for a comment. The previous two weeks had been intense for the MP representing Charente-Maritime. He served as the lead rapporteur for two bills, on one palliative care and one on assisted dying, examined by the Assemblée Nationale. His three-day stubble showed that he had let himself enjoy a rare "day off" on Sunday, before tackling the final sprint leading up to the bills' votes in the Assemblée, on Tuesday. It was like a leg in the middle of a long marathon – one that was far from over – to defend assisted dying, a cause he has championed for years, despite all the obstacles in his path. His longstanding advocacy and his role in the two bills on end-of-life care, which were both adopted by the Assemblée Nationale on Tuesday, made him a central figure during the debates. The discussions took place in a calm atmosphere, despite aid in dying being a divisive issue. The lead rapporteur welcomed the serenity, contrasting it to "the violence of the exchanges" around the same-sex marriage law, in 2013, and the Veil law on decriminalizing abortion, in 1975. "This Assemblée will be able to have a collective pride for having managed to, for the first time in history, conduct a [debate on a] major societal issue in a calm way," said Falorni, with his trademark smile.
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
France takes major steps towards legalising assisted dying
France's lower house of parliament adopted a Bill on Tuesday to allow adults with incurable illness to take lethal medication, as public demands grow across Europe for legal end-of-life options. The National Assembly vote is a key legislative step on the long-debated issue. Advertisement 'I'm thinking of all the patients and their loved ones. There are days, you know, you will never forget. I will never forget this day,' said Olivier Falorni, the general rapporteur of the Bill, amid applause from fellow lawmakers. The Bill received 305 votes in favour and 199 against. It will be sent to the country's Senate for further debate where the conservative majority could seek to amend it. French health minister Catherine Vautrin speaks after the Bill was adopted (Michel Euler/AP) A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled amid France's long and complex process. Advertisement The National Assembly has final say over the Senate. A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled amid France's long and complex process. The National Assembly has final say over the Senate. Activists have criticised the complexity and length of the parliamentary process that they say is penalising patients waiting for end-of-life options. In parallel, a Bill on palliative care, meant to reinforce measures to relieve pain and preserve patients' dignity, was also adopted on Tuesday, unanimously. Advertisement The proposed measure on lethal medication defines assisted dying as allowing people to use it under certain conditions so that they may take it themselves. Only those whose physical condition does not allow them to do it alone would be able to get help from a doctor or a nurse. Assisted suicide is allowed in Switzerland and several US states. Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Australia, Colombia, Belgium and Luxembourg under certain conditions.
LeMonde
5 days ago
- Health
- LeMonde
French lawmakers approve assisted dying bill
France's Assemblée Nationale adopted a bill on Tuesday, May 27, to allow adults with incurable illness to take lethal medication, the initial step in a lengthy process that could grant patients medical assistance to end their lives in clearly defined circumstances. The bill received 305 votes in favor and 199 against, after all parties in parliament allowed their lawmakers a free vote on the issue. It will now be sent to the Sénat for further debate. A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled. In parallel, another bill on palliative care, meant to reinforce measures to relieve pain and preserve patients' dignity, was also adopted on Tuesday, unanimously. "I'm thinking of all the patients and their loved ones. There are days, you know, you will never forget. I will never forget this day," said Olivier Falorni, the general rapporteur of the bill, amid applause from fellow lawmakers. "The Assemblée Nationale's vote on legislation concerning the development of palliative care and assisted dying is an important step," President Emmanuel Macron said, on X, after the vote, adding: "With respect for sensitivities, doubts and hopes, the path of fraternity that I hoped for is gradually opening up." Macron has insisted that any authorisation to choose death should be limited to people with incurable illnesses and intense physical or psychological pain. Strict conditions The proposed measure on lethal medication defines assisted dying as allowing people to use it under certain conditions, so that they may take it themselves. Only those whose physical condition doesn't allow them to do it alone would be able to get help from a doctor or a nurse. To benefit, patients would need to be over 18 and be French citizens or live in France. A team of medical professionals would also need to confirm that the patient has a grave and incurable illness "at an advanced or terminal stage," is suffering from intolerable and untreatable pain and is seeking lethal medication of their own free will. Patients with severe psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, wouldn't be eligible. The person would initiate the request for lethal medication and confirm the request, after a period of reflection. If approved, a doctor would deliver a prescription for the lethal medication, which could be taken at home or at a nursing home or a health care facility. Current French legislation allows passive euthanasia, such as withholding artificial life support, and since 2016 doctors have also been authorised to induce "deep and continuous sedation" for terminally ill patients in pain. Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said, over the weekend before the vote, that the "French model" of assisted dying would be "strict and closely supervised." Supported by most French citizens A 2023 report indicated that most French citizens back legalizing end-of-life options, and opinion polls show growing support over the past 20 years. Initial discussions in parliament last year were abruptly interrupted by President Emmanuel Macron's decision to dissolve the Assemblée Nationale, plunging France into a months-long political crisis. Earlier this month, Macron suggested he could ask French voters to approve the measure via referendum if parliament discussions get off track. Macron said last year that France needed legislation because "there are situations you cannot humanely accept." The goal was "to reconcile the autonomy of the individual with the solidarity of the nation," he said. Stiff opposition The bill has faced stiff opposition from religious leaders in a country with a longstanding Catholic tradition, as well as many health workers. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, a devout Catholic, said Tuesday that he would abstain if he were a deputy because of lingering "questions." French religious leaders this month issued a joint statement to denounce the bill, warning about the "dangers" of an "anthropological rupture." The Conference of Religious Leaders in France (CRCF), which represents the Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist communities, said the proposed measures risk exerting pressure on older people and those with illnesses or disabilities. On the other hand, the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (ADMD) has called on French lawmakers "to respect the French who want the same right that our Dutch, Belgian, Luxembourgian, Swiss, Spanish, Portuguese neighbors have." 'End of life' or 'aid in dying' The bill has been widely referred to as focusing on "end of life" or "aid in dying" in the French debate, rather than "assisted suicide" or "euthanasia." Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practitioners giving patients who meet certain criteria a lethal injection at their own request. If approved, France would join a small group of European countries that give the right to aid in dying, including Germany, Spain, Austria and Switzerland. Until now, French patients wishing to end their lives have had to travel abroad, including to neighbouring Belgium. Vautrin said she hopes that the Sénat will begin examining the issue this year, and submit its suggested changes back to the Assemblée Nationale in early 2026. "I want this bill to get a final vote by 2027 which is still possible," said the minister.
LeMonde
6 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Two rights for the end of life in France
In these times of government inertia and parliamentary upheaval, when anathema and political posturing often overshadow constructive dialogue, the debate on assisted dying – which is set to be the subject of a double vote at the Assemblée Nationale on Tuesday, May 27 – is nothing short of remarkable. Firstly, in terms of form, since the subject, which was explored by a citizens' convention in 2022-2023, has resulted in two bills, one on palliative care and the other on the "right to aid in dying." Both of which are issues that are at once deeply personal and universal. The French MPs, who are often quick to highlight their divisions, conducted a high-level debate and managed to move forward by listening to one another. Neither the dissolution of the Assemblée Nationale in June 2024 nor the prime minister's hesitations regarding the second bill prevented the examination of legislation that could help French society progress on a question long shrouded in fear and taboo, and for a long time dominated by religion: death. The progress made possible by these bills address fundamental concerns shared by everyone – the fear of suffering and loneliness at the time of death and the freedom to choose one's end of life – while also seeking to preserve a collective imperative: the protection of the most vulnerable. With regard to decriminalizing, in exceptional circumstances, the transgressive acts of assisted suicide and euthanasia, the second bill, on the right to aid in dying, followed the "path toward an ethical application" of this right, as identified in 2022 by the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE, a governmental advisory council on bioethics issues), provided that "strict conditions" were met. These five conditions were outlined in detail during the debates. Need for real equality in access to care Reference to the "quality of life," rather than the unpredictable length of life, was added when describing the situation of patients who would be eligible for the new right. The requirements for collaborative deliberation before granting the right, a two-day reflection period and an explicit, free and informed request from the patient, seemed to strike the necessary balance between the exercise of individual liberty and the prevention of possibleabuses. Such abuses could include economic, social or family pressures, or a lack of palliative care influencing the decision. Only real equality of access to medical care, which is currently at risk, and in particular the possibility for everyone to have access to palliative care, which is today scandalously reserved for a minority but promised in one of the two texts to be voted on Tuesday, can respond to these legitimate concerns. Under these strict conditions, and provided there is regular evaluation of their implementation, these bills should help ease the burden each person faces in the inevitability of death. They guarantee, for the vast majority of the population, an end of life that is supported and peaceful, where every effort is made to prevent physical and psychological suffering; and granting the individual right – which compels no one – to exercise an "ultimate freedom" by choosing to end one's life in specifically defined circumstances and under precisely limited conditions. In addition to this encouraging progress, a final vote on both bills – whose examination will continue in the Sénat – would bring a positive development: France can move forward on a sensitive social issue without necessarily being consumed by political instrumentalization, nor remaining paralyzed by partisan divisions.
