French President Emmanuel Macron backed new end-of-life legislation on Sunday that would allow what he called "help to die."
France's neighbors Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands have adopted laws that allow medically assisted dying under some circumstances.
Macron Backs New 'End of Life' Bill
In 2016, the Claeys-Leonetti law on end-of-life was adopted to authorize deep sedation, but only for people whose prognosis is in jeopardy in the short term. However, France has resisted that move, partly due to pressure from the Catholic Church.
In an interview with Liberation newspaper, Macron said he preferred to refer to the new law as "help to die" rather than euthanasia or assisted suicide. He said he wanted his government to present a draft bill to parliament in May.
"It does not, strictly speaking, create a new right nor a freedom, but it traces a path which did not exist until now and which opens the possibility of requesting assistance in dying under certain strict conditions," he said.
The president claimed that those conditions would need to be met, and a medical team would evaluate and ensure the criteria for the decision were correct.
He added that it would only affect adults capable of making the decision and whose lives are in danger in the medium term, like those with final-stage cancer. He said that family members would also be able to appeal the decision.
The bill builds on the work of a group of 184 French individuals chosen randomly to discuss the issue. Last year, the group said that 76% support allowing some assistance to die for those who want it.
Furthermore, the decision to move forward with the end-of-life legislation was made after lawmakers in France overwhelmingly voted earlier this month to enshrine the right to an abortion in the country's constitution.
Macron has worked to strengthen his image as a social reformer, with only three months until the European parliamentary elections in June. According to polls, his party is over 10 points behind the far-right Rassemblement National.
Pro-Life Advocates Fight Against Euthanasia in Canada, Australia
Euthanasia gained global attention when former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt and his wife, Eugene, chose to end their own lives. The Dutch Rights Forum said that the couple, who have been married for over 60 years, "died hand in hand."
In Canada, euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal for almost ten years now after the government approved it in 2016. The Trudeau administration decided to put off plans to advance the assisted suicide program to include those suffering from mental illness after a parliamentary report said the country's health system is "not ready."
Jack Fonseca, the director of political operations for the Campaign Life Coalition, said that his group will perform a "major protest" at the Canadian Parliament this month. He said that the purpose of the protest is to send the message to the prime minister and all elected lawmakers that a three-year delay in expanding euthanasia is not good enough.
Fonseca noted that they want the government to completely and permanently abandon its plans to allow doctors to kill mentally ill patients and those who are depressed.
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