O houses of Parliament Portugal approved the decriminalization of euthanasia in the country on Friday 12th, despite the last veto by conservative President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Rightwing parties oppose the bill and threaten to appeal to the court Constitutional.
The law was passed with a majority of leftwing politicians. There were 129 votes from the Bloco de Esquerda, the Free Party, animal rights activists and the Liberal Initiative (the only rightwing party supporting the law).
Advertising
The project received 81 votes against. The Social Democratic Party, the Right Enough Party and the Communist Party (except for the left) were against the release of euthanasia in Portugal.
According to the deputy Socialist Isabel Moreira, the presidential veto does not prevent the law from enacting. Only the majority decision is required. The project was thus approved.
The Chega Party and the Social Democratic Party are threatening to appeal to the Constitutional Court, the Portuguese equivalent of the Federal Court of Justice. The two parties support calling a referendum on this issue.
Several versions of the release of euthanasia were presented to the Portuguese Parliament
Various versions of the bill have been submitted to Parliament. one of the youngest took place on April 19th.
The text defines euthanasia as “death by voluntary choice”. And from now on, this function can also be applied to adults who are suffering from severe pain or suffering from a terminal illness. This also applies if it is carried out or supported by medical professionals.
Assisted suicide will be a priority, especially for patients with disabilities who are unable to perform the act independently.
In several countries euthanasia and euthanasia are prohibited. In Brazil, for example, such a practice is considered a homicide.
The president vetoed four versions of the euthanasia law
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is a practicing Catholic and a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Sousa has been in power since 2016.
In his opinion, a more precise clarification of the differences between assisted suicide and euthanasia is needed. “It makes sense to clarify who should take care of euthanasia,” says the politician.
Sousa vetoed four versions of the text, but the proposal always went back to parliament Portuguese. As approved today, the President has eight days to sign the law into law.
Also read: