French court clears assisted dying law while striking down social media ban for minors
France’s Constitutional Council has validated landmark assisted dying legislation while rejecting a proposed social media ban for under-15s.
France's Constitutional Council has approved landmark end-of-life legislation establishing a right to assisted dying, alongside an emergency agricultural reform. The high court validated the end-of-life law with three interpretative reservations, notably ensuring that private and religious healthcare facilities can exercise a conscience clause to decline performing assisted dying procedures. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the validation, stating the decision completes an "exemplary democratic debate."
However, the council rejected a flagship proposal championed by Macron that would have banned social media access for minors under 15. Magistrates ruled that the general restriction disproportionately infringed upon fundamental personal freedoms, effectively invalidating the measure.
Sources: Le Figaro, La Tribune, 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 28, 2026, 06:00 PM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves end-of-life law while rejecting social media ban for minors
- Oct 28, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law while striking down youth social media ban
- Oct 28, 2026, 02:00 AM UTCFrench court validates assisted dying bill while rejecting social media ban for minors
- Oct 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTCFrench court approves assisted dying law while blocking youth social media ban
- Oct 27, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCFrench court approves assisted dying while striking down social media ban for minors
- Oct 27, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCFrench high court clears end-of-life bill while striking down youth social media ban
- Oct 27, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves end-of-life law and rejects minor social media ban
- Oct 27, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCFrench court approves assisted dying law and rejects social media ban for minors
- Oct 26, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCFrench court upholds assisted dying law while striking down youth social media ban
- Oct 26, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law and rejects under-15 social media ban