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French Constitutional Council Upholds Assisted Dying Law and Rejects Social Media Ban for Minors
Just the facts
The Constitutional Council, France's highest constitutional authority, upheld legislation allowing adult citizens and legal residents facing incurable, terminal illnesses with unbearable suffering to request medical aid in dying. The court affirmed the law while clarifying a conscience clause that permits pharmacists and private medical facilities to opt out of the procedure. In a separate ruling, the council struck down a law prohibiting minors under 15 years old from accessing social media platforms, finding that mandatory age verification infringed on freedom of expression and privacy rights. Following the decision, French President Emmanuel Macron directed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to draft a revised social media proposal that satisfies constitutional requirements.
Why this is news
France's Constitutional Council issued rulings on two flagship legislative measures passed by the French Parliament, validating a law legalizing medical assistance in dying while invalidating a proposed ban on social media for children under age 15.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.