Claire Fourcade, the president of the French society of palliative care and a doctor in Narbonne, Béatrice Lognos, an independent doctor and vice-dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Montpellier, Noëlle Messina-Peretti, a representative from the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity in Hérault, and Pierre Blanchet, a regional correspondent for Ultime Liberté, all had different reactions to Emmanuel Macron’s announcement regarding the end of life in France. The president’s statement, which included promises of “active assistance in dying,” has sparked debates among supporters of euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the freedom to choose how to end one’s life.
While some expressed hope for change, others, like Fourcade, were disappointed by Macron’s announcement. She described the president’s blindness and the unfortunate confusion around the terminology of “active assistance in dying,” “euthanasia,” and “assisted suicide.” Fourcade emphasized the importance of providing patients with access to palliative care, which is currently lacking in France.
Lognos was also skeptical, expressing concerns about the potential injustice that may arise from different doctors’ opinions on the matter, as well as regional disparities in access to end-of-life care. She asked how doctors could be asked to deliberately kill someone.
On the other hand, Messina-Peretti welcomed the possibility of progress, acknowledging that the president’s proposal was a positive step towards greater legitimacy for the right to die with dignity. Blanchet also saw the announcement as a step forward for Ultime Liberté, as it brought new attention to the issue.
Overall, Macron’s announcement has elicited mixed reactions from those advocating for greater autonomy in end-of-life care. It remains to be seen how the issue will be debated and resolved in the French parliament in May.