French Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law and rejects under-15 social media ban
France's Constitutional Council validated a landmark assisted dying law while striking down a general ban on social media for children under 15 as an excessive restriction on personal liberty.
France's Constitutional Council has approved a landmark bill legalizing assisted dying while striking down a proposed ban on social media access for minors under 15.
The court declared that defining end-of-life legislation falls within the scope of parliamentary authority, upholding the law with three specific conditions. Notably, these conditions guarantee conscience clause exemptions for religious and private healthcare institutions. President Emmanuel Macron commended the ruling, framing it as the culmination of an "exemplary democratic debate."
In contrast, the court invalidated the flagship provision of a separate bill aiming to restrict social media access for children under 15. Magistrates determined that a broad ban represents an excessive restriction on personal liberty, effectively invalidating a key legislative objective of Macron’s administration.
Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, Politico Europe (Defense).
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 16, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCFrench court validates assisted dying law while striking down social media ban for minors
- Oct 16, 2026, 06:00 PM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council clears assisted dying law while blocking youth social media ban
- Oct 16, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCFrench court approves assisted dying law while blocking youth social media ban
- Oct 16, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCFrench constitutional court approves assisted dying while rejecting social media ban for minors
- Oct 16, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCFrench court validates assisted dying legislation while rejecting youth social media ban
- Oct 15, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council approves assisted dying bill and blocks youth social media ban
- Oct 15, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law while blocking youth social media ban
- Oct 15, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law and rejects youth social media ban
- Oct 15, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law while striking down social media ban for under-15s
- Oct 15, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law while striking down youth social media ban