France’s lower house approves assisted dying bill with 305 votes in favor

France’s lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill to legalise assisted dying, marking a significant step in a long-running national debate. The bill passed with 305 votes in favour and 199 against. However, the proposed legislation remains more restrictive than similar laws in countries like the Netherlands or Belgium. Under the French proposal, assisted dying would only be available to individuals suffering from a serious and incurable illness that is both life-threatening and in its advanced or terminal stage. Eligible patients must also be experiencing constant physical or psychological suffering.