Rather than ending someone’s life, Jean Léonetti prefers the solution of “letting die.” The difference is clear. Nevertheless, when it comes to requesting death, the mayor of Antibes wants to clarify things: “The request for suicide is a tragedy for our society. We cannot ask a medical body or a community to provide a response and take responsibility for an individual choice.” Furthermore, he notes a kind of pattern in the requests since the death of Chantal Sébire. Rémy Salat’s letter to Nicolas Sarkozy is an example. The 24-year-old sought to reignite the debate in France about euthanasia. “The president cannot stand above the law,” explains Mr. Léonetti.
## A Meaning to Life
When speaking about his law, the deputy from Alpes-Maritimes questions the abandonment of patients and the dangers of granting a right to die. He highlights that the desire to die is fluctuating for some individuals. In that respect, only 25% of suicide attempts are followed by repeats. Jean Léonetti proposes more care for patients who no longer find meaning in their lives. “Only one-fifth of dying patients die without suffering and accompanied by loved ones. For all others, the quality of the end of life should take precedence over its duration.”
Passive Euthanasia
Even if the request for death does exist in France, for the UMP deputy, there is a real danger in granting a right to die. “Why accept killing someone when we can provide them with a peaceful end of life through stopping treatments and pain-free support?” There are also issues with understanding the Léonetti law. The text is purportedly poorly known by the environment and hospital staff.
Too many potential drifts. Jean Léonetti does not conceive that the right to assisted suicide could be applicable. Even with Nadine Morano’s project, the Secretary of State for Family, the idea of establishing an exception committee with an expert panel is considered flawed. “By what right can a committee stand above the citizen and decide who should live or die?” The mayor of Antibes strongly opposes the judicial exception that could be granted to the dying. However, he contemplates a legal alternative: invoking a right to death granted by compassion.
