LAWMAKERS SUPPORT ASSISTED DYING UNDER STRICT CONDITIONS

PARIS, JULY 15 /SRNA/ - The French National Assembly has backed assisted dying under strict conditions, following years of debate and revisions to the proposal.

Lawmakers voted 291 in favour and 241 against the bill, which had been rejected three times by the upper house of parliament, the Senate.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is prepared to refer parts of the bill to the French Constitutional Council for review before it becomes law.

This would allow assisted dying for adults in France with a "serious and incurable" illness that is life-threatening "at an advanced or terminal stage", the BBC reported.

The patient would have to freely express their wish to a doctor, who would then decide after consultations within 15 days.

After two days of reflection, the patient would have to administer the lethal substance themselves. If they are unable to do so, a doctor or nurse could carry out the procedure.

The patient's decision to undergo the procedure would have to be confirmed by a doctor on the same day.

Today's vote means that France could join several other European countries that have decriminalised assisted dying in some form.