Acquittal sparks renewed debate on euthanasia in France
On Wednesday, 78-year-old Bernard Pallot was acquitted by the court in Troyes of the charge of killing his seriously ill wife, Suzanne. His action was intended to shorten her suffering. After the verdict was announced, Pallot called for the legalization of euthanasia, reigniting the discussion on this topic in France.
The trial of Pallot, which began on 28th October in the Aube department, captured the entire country's attention. According to the Polish Press Agency, he admitted to ending his wife's life, claiming that he wished to alleviate her suffering. "This trial reflects the inadequacy of the law, which puts us in difficult situations," he commented after his acquittal.
The dramatic events unfolded on 11th October 2021 in Isle-Aumont. Pallot injected Suzanne with cyanide in the thigh because her life had become, as he described, "unbearable." When this step proved ineffective, he used an electrical cord, holding it around her neck for about 20 minutes. "It sounds a bit brutal, but I had no choice," he testified during questioning.
He killed his wife. He was acquitted
Upon the arrival of the police, Pallot admitted to the act without resistance. His acquittal by the jury sparked a wave of commentary and once again directed public attention to the issue of legalizing euthanasia.
Olivier Falorni, a member of the centrist Democratic Group in the National Assembly and a supporter of changing the law, said in an interview with France Info: "Through this decision of the court, the French are turning to MPs and senators, asking them to change the regulations."
Work on the "end of life" bill, intended to legalise euthanasia in certain cases, has been suspended since June. The case of Bernard Pallot once again opens up the debate on the right to a dignified death and raises questions about the responsibility of lawmakers towards suffering. The decision now lies with the French parliamentarians, who must respond to the growing expectations of society.
