The vice president of the RN has returned to his favorable vote on the end-of-life law, which was in the minority within his group. He emphasizes the strict framework of the text and the need to guarantee equality of access to palliative care.
Invited on Wednesday morning to La Grande Interview CNews/Europe 1, Sébastien Chenu justified his vote in favor of the end-of-life bill, which was later adopted in the afternoon at the National Assembly. A minority position within the National Rally, where nearly 105 out of 122 voters abstained or voted against.
“First of all, a law on palliative care, equality of access in all territories, without which I would not have voted for this law,” said the vice president of the RN on CNews/Europe1. He insisted on the strict framework of the text: “The criteria are cumulative – having serious and incurable suffering, expressing it clearly and without constraint.” Chenu also pointed out the injustice represented by exile for some individuals wishing to end their lives: “What shocked me was that people resorted to exile in addition to their pain. It was unacceptable to me.”
The deputy from the North acknowledged the moral complexity of the subject and regretted that no popular consultation had taken place: “In terms of society’s subject, society’s response.” He nevertheless recalls that the law is amendable and that the text will still be studied in the Senate.
A widely divided vote
This Wednesday afternoon, the deputies adopted, in a second reading, the bill opening up “aid in dying”, as well as the text aimed at extending palliative care.
The vote on palliative care was unanimous: 491 votes for, 0 against. The text on aid in dying was approved by 299 votes against 226, a closer margin than in May 2025 (305 for, 199 against). This reform legalizes assisted suicide and provides for euthanasia for individuals unable to perform the lethal act themselves.
The project sets five cumulative criteria, including three medical ones: being afflicted with a “serious and incurable condition” engaging life prognosis in advanced or terminal phase, experiencing physical or psychological suffering related to this condition, judged “refractory to treatments” or “unbearable”, and being able to express one’s will “freely and clearly” at all stages of the procedure.
