Organizing a citizens’ convention on the end of life: the event, announced by Emmanuel Macron during his campaign, was put back on the political agenda by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne at the end of August, then by Emmanuel Macron himself on 2 September, during the award ceremony of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor to the artist Line Renaud. “Your fight for the right to die with dignity resembles you and obliges us”, he said. He is “dictated by kindness, demand and this unique intuition that it is time to do, then we will do”, launched the president at the end of his speech.
If the presidential desire for a change in the law, preceded by broad consultation, is hardly in doubt – the president admitted in April that he was in favor of the Belgian model –, the deadlines in which it could materialize remain unclear. “In the coming days, the president could announce method and timetable”, ensured on September 6, in the morning, Jean-Rémi Baudot, political journalist for France Info. In some circles, the date of September 9 for a launch of the citizens’ convention by the president was circulating. At the Élysée, we temporize by explaining “not having noted this date”, while maintaining “talk again soon” from subject. Jean-Luc Romero, honorary president of the Association for the right to die with dignity (ADMD), affirms it, him, bluntly: Emmanuel Macron has committed to him to pass a law before the end of 2023 .
An imminent announcement?
Is it because the Head of State is known for his propensity to surprise with his announcements and to decide his agenda himself? The signs of an acceleration of the calendar, in any case, are multiplying. The French Society for Support and Palliative Care (Sfap), which, despite several requests, had never yet been received by the Elysée Palace, is to meet, this Wednesday evening 7, the health advisers of the president and the first minister, to make his voice heard. As for the National Advisory Council on Ethics, whose opinion on the end of life was expected for the end of September, it could bring forward its publication, in order to avoid being taken aback by an impromptu announcement.
“We do not have precise information on the conventionrecalls however Jonathan Denis, president of the ADMD. For the moment, we remain on rumors and the prospect of a meeting with the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (who will oversee the convention, editor’s note), in October. » The National Center for Palliative and End-of-Life Care (CNSPFV), a public body charged by the Ministry of Health with implementing and monitoring public end-of-life policies, was also not aware , Tuesday 6, of setting up the convention during the week.