Spain becomes the sixth country in the world to legalize euthanasia

Congress of Deputies approved the bill this Thursday, which will still pass in the Senate. Spain thus becomes the sixth country in the world to recognize the right to a dignified death.

Spain becomes the sixth country in the world to legalize euthanasia

THE Spain approved this Thursday the first bill that will regulate the exercise of the right to euthanasia in the country, after the historic vote in the Congress of Deputies resulted in 198 votes in favor and 138 against, with two abstentions.

The bill was proposed by the PSOE and, in addition to the governmental majority, had votes in favor of Citizens, Together for Catalonia and CUP. Only the right - PP, Vox and Unión del Pueblo Navarro - voted against, says El País .

The law requires only the green light of the Senate for it to take effect.

Spain thus becomes the sixth country in the world to recognize the right to a dignified death, after the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada and New Zealand.

According to the same publication, the document specifies that euthanasia can be requested by persons of legal age, with Spanish nationality or legal residence in the country, who suffer from "serious and incurable or incapacitating illness". Patients must be duly informed of the alternatives to euthanasia, namely in terms of palliative care. The process starts after two written requests from the patient, with an interval of 15 days.