French court greenlights assisted dying while blocking youth social media ban
France's Constitutional Council validated end-of-life legislation with reservations while striking down a proposed social media ban for under-15s.
France’s Constitutional Council has issued landmark rulings on major societal legislation, validating the country's new assisted dying law while striking down a proposed social media ban for minors under 15.
The council confirmed that the end-of-life framework aligns with the constitution, subject to three interpretative reservations. Most notably, the decision guarantees a conscience clause allowing private and religious healthcare facilities to opt out of offering the procedures. President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the ruling, stating it "completes an exemplary democratic debate."
However, magistrates struck down the core provision of a digital safety law that sought a general ban on social media access for children under 15, deeming it an excessive restriction on fundamental freedoms. Emergency agricultural legislation was also cleared for implementation.
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 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
- 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