Slovenia Legalizes Assisted Dying, Faces Immediate Opposition

Slovenian lawmakers have made history by passing an assisted dying bill, marking Slovenia as the first Eastern European nation to legalize this practice. The legislation, approved in July 2023, allows patients with terminal conditions the option to end their lives under specific circumstances. Despite this progressive step, significant opposition has already emerged, aiming to repeal the law.

Under the new framework, assisted dying encompasses assisted suicide, where patients self-administer lethal substances, rather than active euthanasia, which involves a doctor directly ending a patient’s life. To qualify for assisted suicide, patients must express their intentions to their doctor on two separate occasions before submitting a formal request. This request must then receive approval from an independent physician, while a psychiatrist will evaluate the patient’s decision-making capacity. Importantly, healthcare providers retain the right to decline participation in the procedure.

The public sentiment in Slovenia has been mixed. A referendum held last year showed that 55 percent of voters supported the legalization of assisted dying. However, opponents of the law are mobilizing swiftly. The Coalition Against the Poisoning of Patients has already gathered more than 15,000 signatures in their campaign to block the law. If they reach 40,000 signatures within 35 days, a binding referendum could be triggered.

Supporters of the legislation, like Andrej Pleterski, a co-author of the bill and member of the Society Silver Thread, argue that the law provides a dignified choice for those at the end of their lives. “This law talks about the help in ending your own life,” Pleterski stated. He emphasized that the legislation allows individuals to make autonomous decisions regarding their own end-of-life care.

Conversely, critics express concerns about the potential for vulnerable patients to feel pressured into choosing assisted death. Dr. Bojana Beovic, president of the Medical Chamber of Slovenia, voiced apprehension about the implications for elderly patients who may feel their lives lack purpose. “Numerous people will feel encouraged with this law,” she warned, suggesting that it could result in a troubling precedent for mental health care and palliative support.

The law stipulates that the procedure will be covered by public health insurance for Slovenian citizens and permanent residents with health insurance. Yet, the backlash could delay its implementation, as opponents rally for a legal challenge.

Public opinion is divided. Advocate Tina Vuga, who recently lost her father after a painful battle with terminal illness, believes that assisted dying should be a viable option to ease suffering. “It is crucial that in the 21st century we are finally ready for this step,” Vuga asserted. She underscored the importance of allowing individuals to retain dignity in their final moments.

Assisted dying is not a novel concept in Europe. Approximately 282 million people reside in regions where medical assistance in dying (MAID) is permitted, with its application varying widely. According to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, MAID accounts for between 0.1 percent and 5.1 percent of all deaths in these areas.

Countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, and Austria have established their own models of assisted dying. Meanwhile, ongoing debates are taking place in France, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, and the United Kingdom regarding potential policy changes.

As Slovenia navigates its new law, the conversations surrounding assisted dying are likely to intensify, reflecting broader societal values and healthcare ethics across Europe. The balance between personal autonomy and the protection of vulnerable populations remains a critical point of contention as the country embarks on this unprecedented path.