French council approves assisted dying law and strikes down social media ban for minors
France's Constitutional Council validated legislation legalizing conditional assisted dying and an emergency farming bill, while striking down a social media ban for minors under 15.
France’s Constitutional Council has issued final decisions on several key legislative projects. The constitutional body approved end-of-life legislation establishing a conditional right to assisted dying, accompanied by three interpretative reservations, notably preserving a conscience clause for private and religious healthcare institutions. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the ruling, stating it "completes an exemplary democratic debate."
Additionally, magistrates validated the government's emergency agricultural bill. However, the council struck down the primary provision of a digital policy law aimed at banning social media access for children under 15, ruling that a general prohibition constituted an excessive restriction on personal freedoms.
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 26, 2026, 02:00 AM UTCFrench constitutional court approves end-of-life law and strikes down social media ban
- 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, 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