French Elections Imperil End-of-Life Euthanasia Bill

French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured here), dissolved his government on June 9th calling for legislative elections on June 30th and July 7th. The debates on an end-of-life bill which were to be voted on June 11th were suddenly stopped as a result. 

The prospect of a significant change of government and balance within the National Assembly as a result of the elections are likely to have a very significant impact on the future of the bill. For now, the bill is at any rate on hold.

Read full article here.

French Euthanasia Proposal Dead for Now

Mr. Schadenberg at European Parliament

By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. (Pictured here).

The European Parliament held their elections from June 6 to June 9, 2024 resulting in a shift in the balance of power. It appears that the European Parliament will likely have more of a  conservative focus over the next few years.

In response to the European election results and the shift in european politics, French President, Emmanuel Macron, on June 10 called a snap election with his hope of catching conservative political parties off-guard. The election will be on June 29 - 30 and the second tier on July 6 - 7.

French President Macron Faces Backlash From Medical Workers Over Assisted-Dying Bill

Original publication: March 11, 2024 

President Emmanuel Macron on Monday faced criticism from French medical workers and the Catholic Church over a draft bill his government plans to present to parliament in May that would allow assisted dying [aka assisted suicide, physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia] for certain terminally-ill patients.

The centrist leader announced the plan to submit the bill in newspaper interviews published on Sunday, insisting there would be “strict conditions” on allowing people to self-administer a lethal substance, or call on a relative or medical worker if they are incapable.

Jurisdictions That Legalize Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide Will Regret it. Just Look at Canada.

By Alex Schadenberg 

Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

I am just returning from a speaking tour which included meetings with elected representatives in Scotland and the Isle of Man. Both jurisdictions are debating the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide. While in Scotland, a news story was published concerning Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK Labour party, who promised that if elected he would bring forth a bill to legalize assisted dying.

At the same time the French President, Emmanuel Macron, announced that an "assisted dying" bill would be introduced on May 27. As horrific as Canada's experience with euthanasia has been, the terrible euthanasia stories out of Canada is creating a hesitancy in other countries when they debate legalizing poisoning by doctors.

Jersey Debates Euthanasia

Jersey is a British Crown dependency, near the coast of Normandy France.  

On April 6, 2021, ITV Channel reporter Sophie Dulson provided this report.

The law on assisted dying [euthanasia] in Jersey is being reviewed by a Citizen's Jury, and it is expected to start a conversation which could lead to a debate on the law in Jersey's States Assembly.

The panel is made up of 23 members who will hear evidence on both sides of the assisted dying debate before reaching a conclusion by the end of May 2021. 

French Euthanasia Bill Blocked

By Hannah Thompson 

To view original article, click here.

The Social Affairs Commission had debated and voted for the bill, but it has now been blocked by 3,000 amendments.

A proposal to legalise assisted dying for people with incurable diseases has been blocked in the French parliament, largely by five opposition party MPs.

The MPs from the opposition party Les Républicains submitted 2,158 amendments to the bill, of a total of 3,000. This means the proposal is very unlikely to be adopted as planned on Thursday April 8.