A debate against the legalization of medical assistance in dying took place Tuesday, organized by the association Les Éligibles et leurs Aidants, a group representing dependent individuals and their caregivers. The association, which describes itself as apolitical and areligious, voiced concerns echoed by the Front de Gauche Antivalidiste (FGA) as the French National Assembly prepares for a second reading of the proposed legislation.
The debate comes after the National Assembly adopted a proposal for a law on medical assistance in dying on May 27, 2025. Les Éligibles et leurs Aidants was founded in the spring of 2025 following a video posted to social media by Magali, a caregiver, and her husband Cyrille, who has locked-in syndrome, expressing their anxieties about the potential law. The video garnered over 100,000 views, revealing a shared sense of vulnerability among caregivers and those who might be considered “eligible” under the proposed law.
The FGA, a coalition of organizations and citizens opposing the legalization of euthanasia, was formed on May 18, 2025, in response to the initial passage of the bill. The group argues that the legislation poses dangers in a context of diminishing public healthcare services and insufficient resources for adequate care. They characterize the proposal as promoting a “validist” approach, discriminating against those with disabilities and illnesses.
In a letter published on May 22, 2025, the FGA addressed members of the National Assembly, warning of the “extreme dangerousness” of the bill. The letter asserted that the law would impact a significant number of individuals with both illnesses and disabilities, challenging the distinction between the two conditions. The FGA contends that disability often arises from the limitations imposed by societal barriers, and that illness is a primary cause of those limitations.
The concerns raised by Les Éligibles et leurs Aidants and the FGA center on the potential for vulnerable individuals to feel pressured towards ending their lives, particularly given existing systemic issues within the French healthcare system. The FGA has pointed to examples in countries like the Netherlands and Canada, alleging that similar legislation has led to unintended consequences and abuses.
The proposed law, carried by deputy Olivier Falorni, seeks to legalize both euthanasia and assisted suicide for individuals suffering from incurable illnesses. The second reading in the National Assembly is scheduled, but a date has not been publicly announced.
