France starts a debate on legalising assisted dying
It is in the hands of a citizens’ assembly, rather than politicians
Few aspects of life are as sensitive as the leaving of it. Such is the taboo about death and how to manage it in many parts of Europe that France has decided that its debate about whether to legalise assisted dying should be taken out of the hands of politicians. On December 9th a citizens’ assembly made up of 150 randomly selected people began a public debate that will shape the way France approaches the legal and medical management of death.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “The last taboo”
Europe December 24th 2022
From the December 24th 2022 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionDiscover more
Marine Le Pen spooks the bond markets
She threatens to bring down the French government, but also faces a possible ban from politics
The maths of Europe’s military black hole
It needs to spend to defend, but voters may balk
Ukraine’s warriors brace for a Kremlin surge in the south
Vladimir Putin’s war machine is pushing harder and crushing Ukrainian morale
Vladimir Putin fires a new missile to amplify his nuclear threats
The attack on Ukraine is part of a new era of missile warfare
A rise in antisemitism puts Europe’s liberal values to the test
The return of Europe’s oldest scourge
Once dominant, Germany is now desperate
As an election looms its business model is breaking down