Slovenians reject in a referendum a law on assisted dying for terminally ill patients

Slovenians Reject Law Allowing Assisted Dying in National Referendum

Slovenian voters have decisively rejected a law that would have allowed terminally ill patients to end their lives, dealing a significant setback to the country’s right-to-die movement. According to preliminary results released by Slovenia’s State Electoral Commission, approximately 53% voted against the measure, while 46% supported it.

The referendum, which saw a 41% voter turnout, effectively suspends legislation that had been passed by the Slovenian Parliament in July. Under the country’s electoral rules, the opposition needed to secure “no” votes from at least 20% of the 1.7 million eligible voters to invalidate the law – a threshold they successfully crossed.

“Compassion has won,” declared Ales Primc, a conservative activist who spearheaded the campaign against assisted dying. “Slovenia has rejected the government’s health, pension and social reform based on death by poisoning.”

The rejected legislation would have permitted mentally competent individuals with no chance of recovery or those facing unbearable pain to receive assistance in ending their lives. The process would have required approval from two doctors and a mandatory consultation period, with patients ultimately administering the lethal medication themselves. The law specifically excluded individuals with mental illnesses.

This referendum marks the second public vote on the issue in Slovenia. Last year, voters had supported the concept in a non-binding referendum, which prompted Parliament to draft and pass the legislation. However, opponents – including conservative groups, certain medical associations, and the Catholic Church – collected more than 40,000 signatures to force Sunday’s decisive vote.

Critics of the law argued it violated Slovenia’s constitution and suggested the government should instead focus resources on improving palliative care services. The Catholic Church, which maintains significant influence in the predominantly Catholic nation of 2 million people, has consistently opposed euthanasia and assisted suicide on moral grounds.

Prime Minister Robert Golob, whose liberal government backed the legislation, acknowledged the referendum outcome while emphasizing that the underlying issue remains unresolved. “This is not a political issue, it has always been a matter of dignity, human rights, and individual choice,” he said in a statement following the results.

Supporters of assisted dying expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about future legislative efforts. They have long contended that individuals deserve the autonomy to determine how and when to end their suffering with dignity.

The referendum highlights Slovenia’s ongoing struggle to balance progressive social policies with traditional values. The country has historically been considered among the more liberal former Yugoslav republics, often adopting progressive stances on various social issues.

President Natasa Pirc Musar, who cast her ballot on Sunday, emphasized the importance of civic participation. “It is extremely important for citizens to go to the polls, not only when there are parliamentary or presidential elections,” she said. “It is right for us as individuals to say what we think about a certain topic. It is right for us to tell politicians what we think is right and what we think is wrong.”

The rejected legislation would have aligned Slovenia with several other European Union nations that have legalized some form of assisted dying, including neighboring Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Spain. These countries have implemented various safeguards while providing options for those with terminal illnesses to end their lives legally.

The referendum outcome represents a significant victory for conservative forces in Slovenia and demonstrates the continuing polarization around end-of-life issues across Europe. As the population ages and medical technology advances, debates about dignity in dying and patient autonomy are likely to remain at the forefront of public discourse throughout the continent.