France: The Senate adopts the end of the 'conjugal duty' after a tense debate on the wording

On April 9, 2026, the French Senate adopted a bill ending the 'conjugal duty' in the civil code, with 209 votes in favor and only two against. This decision follows a condemnation of France by the European Court of Human Rights in January 2025, after a woman was deemed at fault for refusing sexual relations in her marriage. The text was amended to replace the explicit reference to 'sexual relations' with 'intimate relations', sparking debates among senators.