France’s Senate has rejected a Bill to legalise assisted suicide for the third time, although supporters remain on course to introduce the law after the legislation returns to the National Assembly, where there is stronger backing.
On Tuesday, senators voted by 169 votes to 164, with 11 abstentions, in favour of rejecting the Bill after less than two hours of debate. The legislation will now return to France’s lower house for a fourth reading, with a final vote expected on 15 July.
Under Article 45 of the French Constitution, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu can allow the National Assembly to have the final say, meaning the Bill could still become law despite repeated opposition from the Senate.
