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Macron backs new bill to allow medically assisted dying

In a newspaper interview the French head of state said he did not want to call the new legislation euthanasia or assisted suicide, but rather “help to die".

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

French president Emmanuel Macron backed new end-of-life legislation on Sunday, saying his government aimed to put forward a draft bill to parliament in May, reports the Evening Standard.

Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands have adopted laws that allow medically assisted dying in some cases. 

However, France has so resisted that step amid opposition from religious bodies, including the Catholic Church.

In an interview with Libération newspaper, Mr Macon said he did not want to call the new legislation euthanasia or assisted suicide, but rather “help to die".

Read more of this report from the Evening Standard.