France to decide on legalising euthanasia

President Emmanuel Macron tasked the government with drafting a new law “by summer’s end” after a public consultation showed openness to decriminalising euthanasia.

France could be the next European country to legalise euthanasia for the terminally ill after President Emmanuel Macron on April 3 called for a law on a "French model on the end of life" within months.

The President tasked government with drafting a new law "by summer's end" after a public consultation showed openness to decriminalisation.

Mr. Macron's intervention marks a welcome change on an issue close to his heart, after facing months of protests over a massively controversial pension reform.

The committee of 184 French citizens -- which had been tasked by the presidency with drawing up a non-binding recommendation -- on Sunday approved legalising "active assistance to dying".

Meeting the committee on Monday, Mr. Macron told members that their opinion would constitute a "starting point", but warned the government would not necessarily follow their suggestions.

"I do not promise you we will pick up one or another of your conclusions. They will take their course," the 45-year-old centrist said.

Mr. Macron said caveats to any legalisation should include the need to "guarantee the expression of the enlightened and free will" of a patient, and the incurable nature of their mental or physical suffering.