End of life: parliamentary debate on hold again

An intention but no plan. "Sensitive discussions must continue, particularly on the end of life," Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday, October 14, during his general policy statement to MPs. The new Prime Minister publicly confirmed the continuation of the main societal reform of Emmanuel Macron's second five-year term. But the new government has not set a date for resuming the legislative work, which plans to decriminalize assisted dying (euthanasia or assisted suicide).

Sébastien Lecornu had initially considered taking a new step with a first reading in October in the Senate of the two bills – one relating to the "right to assisted dying" , the other "aimed at guaranteeing equal access for all to support and palliative care" . Both texts were adopted at first reading in the National Assembly on May 27 .

During an interview at Matignon on September 30 with Gérard Larcher, President (Les Républicains, LR) of the Senate, and Yaël Braun-Pivet, President (Renaissance) of the Assembly, the Prime Minister had committed that the two bills would be debated at the Luxembourg Palace from October 20 to 27. A formal vote on each of the texts would take place on October 28. Le Monde has had access to the provisional document recording this agreement. This schedule was to be validated at the weekly conference of Senate presidents on October 7.

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