French Senate to vote on assisted dying as end-of-life debate intensifies

French senators take part in the examination of a bill for the creation of a right to assisted dying at the Senate, the French Parliament upper house, in Paris on 20 January 2026. AFP - ALAIN JOCARD

France’s upper house is set to approve expanded palliative care but block assisted dying, raising tensions with MPs over end-of-life legislation.

After a week of fraught and emotionally charged debate, France’s Senate will vote on Wednesday on two bills dealing with end-of-life care.