One year after a consultative referendum in which 54% of voters agreed to allow assisted suicide, the Slovenian Parliament today passed a law legalizing the practice. The vote was 50 in favor and 34 against, but the opposition has already announced plans to seek a new, binding referendum, as reported by Delo.
Assisted Suicide vs. Euthanasia
According to Tereza Novak from the Freedom Movement, the law does not entail euthanasia, but exclusively assisted suicide. The core principle is that only the individual themselves can administer the active substance into their body. Unlike euthanasia, no one else – neither a family member nor medical staff – can perform this act.
Novak stated that this distinction relieves healthcare professionals, who now serve solely as assistants to the suffering individual, and eliminates the greatest source of fear regarding abuse.
Strict Procedures and Exclusions
Dejan Premk explained that the law establishes a strictly regulated procedure based on individual decision, medical assessment, and legal oversight.
“We considered it especially important to protect vulnerable groups, so the law excludes the possibility of assisted voluntary termination of life when suffering is due to mental disorders. Such suffering is not a reason to end life, but for treatment and support,” Premk said.
Assisted suicide will only be permissible when all medical treatment options have been exhausted and when no recovery or improvement in the patient’s health condition is expected.
Opposition Plans Legal Challenge and Binding Referendum
The opposition has announced that it will continue its legal battle before the Constitutional Court. They will also seek a legislative referendum, which is possible because the previous one was merely consultative and did not pertain to the specific text of the law.
