France’s contentious euthanasia legislation has been placed on hiatus after French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly in response to significant losses in the recent European elections. The elections this month saw substantial gains made by right-of-center parties including the National Rally party in France while Macron’s Renaissance party suffered significant losses.
Despite Macron’s party’s defeat, centrist groups still hold a majority in the continental parliament, but the election results were sufficiently devastating to mainstream politicians that Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly to hold snap elections in France. Macron aims to strengthen centrist control of the country after the political shake-up.
The urgent decision to proceed with snap elections has resulted in a pause on all ongoing legislation in France. This includes the controversial euthanasia bill, which Macron previously stated might allow for the request for assistance in dying under strict conditions. This bill has now been placed on an unscheduled hold due to the current political climate.