France’s Senate has rejected a government-backed draft law on assisted dying – billed as one of the country’s most important social reforms in more than a decade.
Issued on: 29/01/2026 - RFI
A palliative care unit in Paris. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
The bill had easily passed the lower National Assembly last year but was heavily amended in the upper house after often angry and chaotic debate led by right-wing and centrist senators.
Supporters said the changes stripped the text of its purpose.
"The debate, which should have remained dignified and deeply humanist, has turned into a dogmatic and political battle," Patrick Kanner, head of the Socialist Party in the Senate, said ahead of Wednesday's vote.
Centrist senator Loic Herve said opponents of assisted dying could not be expected to support the text.
“You can’t ask senators who are opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide to vote for an article like” the one adopted by the National Assembly, he said. The Senate rejected the amended bill by 181 votes to 122. The version put to the vote made no mention of assisted dying.
The bill had easily passed the lower National Assembly last year but was heavily amended in the upper house after often angry and chaotic debate led by right-wing and centrist senators.
Supporters said the changes stripped the text of its purpose.
"The debate, which should have remained dignified and deeply humanist, has turned into a dogmatic and political battle," Patrick Kanner, head of the Socialist Party in the Senate, said ahead of Wednesday's vote.
Centrist senator Loic Herve said opponents of assisted dying could not be expected to support the text.
“You can’t ask senators who are opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide to vote for an article like” the one adopted by the National Assembly, he said. The Senate rejected the amended bill by 181 votes to 122. The version put to the vote made no mention of assisted dying.
Next steps
The draft law is set to return next month to the National Assembly. The government could allow the lower chamber to pass the legislation definitively without the Senate’s approval.
Laurent Panifous, the minister for relations with parliament, said the constitution gives the final word to the lower house.
President Emmanuel Macron promised to bring forward an assisted dying law after winning a second term in 2022. He has said a referendum could be held if the bill becomes blocked in parliament.
The proposed change has been seen as one of the most significant social reforms since France legalised same-sex marriage in 2012.
A 2023 report found that most French citizens support legal end-of-life options in cases of extreme suffering. Polls show support has increased steadily over the past 20 years.
Assisted dying is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada. A similar law is currently being debated by the British parliament.
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