Finally, at long last, France's national discussion group on the "end of life" on Sunday published its 150-page report with 146 proposals urging the development of domestic legislation to allow what they call "euthanasia" in certain cases, according to a report published by France's Le Monde.

The initiative was launched by President Emmanuel Macron in September 2022 to form the nucleus of a national debate on the theme of "suicide in care" or "euthanasia". The initiative included doctors, experts in various fields, as well as intellectuals. They held several meetings in more than four months to discuss this sensitive topic.

Majority in favor

Le Monde added that the initiative had 184 members and adopted with 92% of the votes the content of the report published today despite disagreements over some of its provisions, which is expected to cause an uproar in France between supporters of the enactment of the necessary legislation to open the door to "euthanasia" and those who oppose it.

According to the French newspaper, 76% of members of the National Initiative supported "euthanasia" in certain cases and after a specific course of treatment.

Only 23% opposed facilitating "euthanasia" and feared it would open the door to abuses that could burden vulnerable groups. 1% of members did not specify their position.

Of the 146 proposals, 81 were devoted to the theme of "ending life" under medical care.

Overcoming shortcomings

The report supported raising the state budget for the provision of palliative treatments needed by patients in an advanced stage of the disease, and said that it should exceed 180 million euros and be added to the current budget (2021-2024).

He stressed the need for hospital institutions, as well as care homes, to ensure easy access to medical palliative services.

Le Monde said members of the National Initiative explained that the report respects the right to freely choose how they want to end their lives, as well as proposing something that will help overcome the legal shortcomings that characterize the field of "ending life with medical care".

It will also put an end to cases of "euthanasia" carried out clandestinely in the country.