A first in a Catholic country: 'Medically assisted death' law approved in Tuscany
Italy's Tuscany region has become the first Catholic region to recognize the right to 'medically assisted death' by passing a new law. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party has announced that they will oppose the legislation.
12punto
The Regional Council of Tuscany, located in central Italy, approved the 'medically assisted death' law in a vote of 27 to 13. This decision makes Tuscany the first region in the predominantly Catholic country to implement such a law.
The new law stipulates that for patients who meet specific eligibility criteria, if their own doctor does not wish to perform the procedure, the regional health service must provide the necessary medication and medical personnel within 10 days. Additionally, doctors are granted the right to opt out of the process for ethical or moral reasons.
REACTION FROM MELONI'S PARTY
Alfredo Antoniozzi of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, Brothers of Italy (FdI), stated that such decisions fall under the authority of the national parliament rather than regional administrations, and announced that the government will challenge the law.