For the first time he is openly in favor of the euthanasia bill – 2024-03-11 23:07:14

THE Emmanuel Macron publicly voiced his support for new assisted-suicide legislation for the first time today, a law that would allow what the French president called “assisted dying” and said he wants his government to submit a draft of the law in May in parliament.

Neighboring countries of France, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands have adopted laws allowing medically assisted suicide in certain circumstances. However, to date, France has not moved forward with this reform, due in part to pressure from the Catholic Church.

The Claeys-Leonetti Euthanasia Act, passed in 2016, allows deep sedation but only for people whose medical prognosis is threatened in the short term.

In an interview with Liberation, Macron clarified that he does not want the new legislation to be labeled euthanasia or assisted suicide, but rather “assisted death.”

“On reflection, the law does not create a new right or freedom, but it carves out a path that did not exist until now and that opens up the possibility of requesting assistance in euthanasia under certain strict conditions,” said the French president.

Macron said those conditions would have to be met and a medical team would assess and ensure the criteria for the decision were correct.

The legislation will only apply to adults who are capable of making the decision and whose life prognosis is threatened in the medium term, such as end-stage cancer, it said.

Family members will also be able to appeal the decision, the French president added.

The bill is based on the work of a group of 184 French citizens who were randomly selected and discussed the issue.

The group concluded its work last year with 76% of its members saying they supported the right to allow some form of assisted suicide for those who want it.

The decision to go ahead with this euthanasia legislation comes after the right to abortion was enshrined in the French Constitution, following an overwhelming vote in favor by MPs earlier this month.

Macron is trying to boost his image as a social reformer just three months before June’s European elections. His party is more than 10 points behind the far-right National Alarm party, according to opinion polls.