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Slovenian Voters Reject Assisted-Suicide Law in Binding Referendum

Meeting a legal threshold for rejection, the binding vote freezes the parliament-approved measure for at least a year.

Overview

  • With nearly all ballots counted, about 53% voted against the law and 47% supported it, according to the Electoral Commission.
  • The result blocks the statute for a minimum of one year under referendum rules that require a majority no vote equaling at least 20% of eligible voters, which officials said was met.
  • Turnout was reported at roughly 40.9%, and an estimated 21.8% of all eligible voters cast no ballots, making the outcome valid.
  • The law passed in the summer would have allowed accompanied suicide for terminal or hopelessly ill adults of sound mind when suffering was intolerable, excluding psychiatric illnesses.
  • Opponents backed by the Catholic Church gathered about 46,000 signatures to force the vote, as Prime Minister Robert Golob urged support, and the outcome contrasts with a consultative 2024 referendum that showed roughly 55% in favor.