Latest news with #Sénat
BreakingNews.ie
7 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
7 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.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
France latest country to vote on assisted dying measures with ‘lethal medication' bill
France's National Assembly is set to vote on a bill that would permit adults with incurable illnesses to take lethal medication, reflecting increasing calls for legal end-of-life options throughout Europe. The vote, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, marks a significant point in the debate over the sensitive issue. If a majority of lawmakers approve the bill, it will proceed to the Senate for further consideration. The proposed law defines assisted dying as enabling individuals, under specific conditions, to use a lethal substance themselves. Assistance from a doctor or nurse would only be available to those physically unable to administer the medication themselves. Eligibility for the measure would require patients to be over 18, and either French citizens or residents of France. A team of medical professionals would need to confirm that the patient has a severe and incurable condition in an advanced or terminal stage, is experiencing unbearable and untreatable pain, and is voluntarily seeking lethal medication. Individuals with severe psychiatric conditions or neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, would not qualify under the proposed legislation. The person would initiate the request for lethal medication and confirm the request after a period of reflection. If approved, a doctor would then deliver a prescription for the lethal medication, which could be taken at home, at a nursing home or a health care facility. In parallel, another bill on palliative care meant to reinforce measures to relieve pain and preserve patients' dignity will also be put to a vote Tuesday. 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 National Assembly, plunging France into a months-long political crisis. Months-long debate still ahead A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled amid France's long and complex legislative process. The National Assembly has the final say over the Senate. Earlier this month, Macron suggested he could ask for French voters to approve the measure via referendum if parliament discussions get off track. Activists supporting the change have criticised the complexity and length of the parliamentary process that they say is penalising patients waiting for end-of-life options. Many French people have traveled to neighbouring countries where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia are legal. 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.' French religious leaders issued this month 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. Similar talks in the UK The debate in France comes as similar talks are ongoing in the UK, where lawmakers are debating a bill to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales after giving it initial approval in November. 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. 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.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
France's National Assembly to vote on long-debated bill legalizing end-of-life options
France's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, is voting Tuesday on a bill to allow adults with incurable illness to take lethal medication, as public demands grow across Europe for legal end-of-life options. Tuesday's vote, expected in the late afternoon, is a key legislative step on the contentious and long-debated issue. If approved by a majority of lawmakers, the bill will be sent to the Senate for further debate. The proposed measure defines assisted dying as allowing people to use a lethal substance 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. The bill provides for strict conditions To benefit from the newly proposed measure, patients would need to be over 18 and be French citizens or live in France. A team of medical professionals would 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 won'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 then deliver a prescription for the lethal medication, which could be taken at home, at a nursing home or a health care facility. In parallel, another bill on palliative care meant to reinforce measures to relieve pain and preserve patients' dignity will also be put to a vote Tuesday. 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 National Assembly, plunging France into a months-long political crisis. Months-long debate still ahead A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled amid France's long and complex legislative process. The National Assembly has the final say over the Senate. Earlier this month, Macron suggested he could ask for French voters to approve the measure via referendum if parliament discussions get off track. Activists supporting the change have criticized the complexity and length of the parliamentary process that they say is penalizing patients waiting for end-of-life options. Many French people have traveled to neighboring countries where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia are legal. 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.' French religious leaders issued this month 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. Similar talks in the U.K. The debate in France comes as similar talks are ongoing in the U.K., where lawmakers are debating a bill to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales after giving it initial approval in November. 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. Assisted suicide is allowed in Switzerland and several U.S. states. Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Australia, Colombia, Belgium and Luxembourg under certain conditions.
LeMonde
20-05-2025
- LeMonde
What causes the contaminations that led Nestlé to filter its Perrier water?
The mineral water fraud scandal does not end with the publication, on Monday, May 19, of the report by the French Sénat inquiry commission tasked with shedding light on this scandal, which was revealed by Le Monde and Radio France in January 2024. The prefect of the southern Gard department issued an ultimatum to Nestlé: The world's leading bottled water company has been given until July 7 to remove the microfiltration systems used at its Perrier plant in the Gard commune of Vergèze and comply with regulations. While the food giant has installed filters (activated carbon, UV, then microfiltration), this contradicts its claim that Perrier waters are still "pure at the source," as they require treatment to decontaminate and therefore should no longer be eligible for the coveted natural mineral water label. The aquifers from which the famous sparkling water is drawn are contaminated by various pollutants and not just "sporadically," as Nestlé executives claimed before the inquiry commission. The contaminations can be chemical in nature: pesticides and nitrates linked to agricultural activities, notably the Costières de Nîmes vineyards; and forever chemicals (PFAS), with undetermined origins. However, it is the increasing number of incidents of contamination by fecal bacteria that pose the greatest threat to Perrier. They forced Nestlé to destroy 3 million bottles in April 2024 and block several hundred thousand a year later.
