French court approves assisted dying law and rejects under-15 social media ban
France's Constitutional Council has validated the country's assisted dying bill with minor reservations while striking down a proposed social media ban for children under 15.
France’s Constitutional Council has approved legislation establishing a conditional right to assisted dying, clearing the path for its official promulgation. The ruling attached three interpretative reservations to the decision, notably securing a conscience clause allowing private and religious healthcare facilities to opt out of offering the procedure. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the ruling, stating that it completed an "exemplary democratic debate."
Concurrently, the high court struck down the core article of a digital safety bill that sought a general prohibition on social media usage for children under 15, declaring the restriction disproportionately broad. Meanwhile, key provisions of an emergency agricultural reform bill received constitutional approval.
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, 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