French deputies set for first vote on assisted dying bill

French MPs during a past discussion at the National Assembly, in Paris, on 26 May 2025. [AFP]

French deputies vote on a controversial right-to-die bill on Tuesday, the first step in a lengthy parliamentary process to legally grant patients medical assistance to end their lives in clearly defined circumstances.

The initiative has the backing of President Emmanuel Macron, who has insisted, however, that any authorisation to choose death should be limited to people with incurable illnesses and intense physical or psychological pain.