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Veneto Approves Law Regulating Medically Assisted Suicide

The regional vote implements the Constitutional Court’s four‑condition test and sets up territorial commissions and a regional bioethics committee to manage requests.

Overview

  • On Wednesday the regional council passed a law to regulate access to medically assisted suicide after a tense session with many last‑minute amendments.
  • A cross‑party majority that included parts of the Lega, the PD and M5S carried the measure while Fratelli d’Italia and allies voted strongly against it.
  • The law follows the Consulta’s four conditions — a fatal diagnosis, unbearable physical or psychological suffering, life kept alive by artificial means, and decision capacity — and requires patient information about palliative care.
  • Institutional safeguards in the text create territorial commissions to assess cases, a regional bioethics committee to issue guidelines, voluntary participation for physicians, and offered psychological support for applicants.
  • Backers say the law fills a national legislative gap noted by the Constitutional Court and should speed and clarify access for eligible patients while opponents call it a moral breach and warn of political fallout for the centre‑right.