France's high court approves assisted dying law while striking down social media ban for minors
France's Constitutional Council has validated assisted dying legislation while striking down a proposed social media ban for minors under 15.
France’s Constitutional Council has approved legislation establishing a conditional right to assisted dying, alongside an emergency agricultural bill. The court validated the end-of-life framework while issuing three interpretative reservations, notably guaranteeing a conscience clause for private and religious healthcare facilities.
Conversely, the council rejected a central provision of a digital safety law that sought to prohibit social media access for children under 15. Magistrates deemed the sweeping ban an unconstitutional restriction on personal liberties, invalidating a flagship initiative championed by President Emmanuel Macron.
Following the rulings, Macron defended the legislative process, stating the decision "completes an exemplary democratic debate."
Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, Politico Europe (Defense)
How outlets assessed this
- Politico Europe (Defense) Critical Emphasized the court's decision as a severe setback for Macron's key digital policy agenda.
- Le Monde Neutral Focused on Catholic and private healthcare institutions successfully securing a conscience clause in the final text.
Sources
- Le Monde — Le Conseil constitutionnel valide la loi sur la fin de vie, les établissements catholiques obtiennent leur « clause de conscience »
- Politico Europe (Defense) — Le Conseil Constitutionnel censure la loi interdisant les réseaux sociaux aux mineurs
- La Tribune — Aide à mourir et loi d'urgence agricole : ce que le Conseil constitutionnel a validé
- Le Figaro — Le Conseil constitutionnel valide la loi sur l’aide à mourir et retoque l’interdiction des réseaux sociaux aux mineurs de moins de 15 ans
- Libération — Droit à l’aide à mourir : le Conseil constitutionnel valide l’intégralité de la loi avec trois réserves
Earlier coverage
- Oct 25, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council validates assisted dying law while striking down social media ban for under-15s
- Oct 25, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCFrench court approves assisted dying law and rejects social media ban for minors
- Oct 25, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCFrench court validates assisted dying bill but rejects social media ban for under-15s
- Oct 25, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCFrench council approves assisted dying law and strikes down social media ban for minors
- Oct 25, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council validates assisted dying law while striking down social media ban for under-15s
- Oct 25, 2026, 02:00 AM UTCFrench court validates end-of-life bill while striking down youth social media ban
- Oct 24, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCFrench court validates assisted dying bill and rejects youth social media ban
- Oct 24, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCFrench court validates end-of-life law and strikes down youth social media ban
- Oct 24, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council validates end-of-life law and strikes down youth social media ban
- Oct 24, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council validates assisted dying law while striking down social media ban