• The debate: The PP accuses the PSOE of promoting euthanasia as a saving measure
  • Politics: Euthanasia breaks the blocks in Congress and the PP proposes a palliative law as an "alternative"
  • The report: The woman who helped Ramón Sampedro die

The Congress approved on Tuesday with the support of all the forces of the Chamber, with the exception of the PP, UPN, Forum Asturias and Vox, to process the proposal of a socialist law by which Spain will recognize the right to end one's life to those who suffer unbearable physical or psychic suffering and without hope of healing but do not face imminent death.

This is the third attempt to enlighten a law regulating euthanasia and on this occasion the prospect of becoming a reality is practically total. The PSOE initiative is a guarantee and can be reinforced in the course of its parliamentary process. Despite this, the arguments put forward by the two parties on the right - which advocate instead a palliative care law - to oppose the regulation of euthanasia were very hard.

The PP, through the mouth of his deputy José Ignacio Echániz , maintained that after the initiative a "measure of cost" is hidden in view of the high cost of caring for people affected by diseases without cure.

For Vox, the initiative is nothing other than "the recognition of the right to kill." "They turn the State into a killing machine," proclaimed his spokesman, who did not hesitate to compare this proposal with "the final solution" practiced in Hitler's Germany. They also influenced the economic approach: "Chronic patients must be eliminated because they are very expensive."

Both Vox and the PP referred to the recommendation of one of the members of the Dutch expert council, according to which euthanasia in his country has proved a mistake because there are cases in which it is not the patient who decides freely and voluntarily and established protocols are not respected.

PSOE: "In case of suffering from incurable disease"

The socialist spokeswoman, María Luisa Carcedo , doctor and former Minister of Health, defended the proposal stating that "human pain has no ideology" and betting on the "right" to decide the interruption of one's life "in case of suffering from incurable disease , not of immediate death, that is unbearable for the human condition. "

The text of the initiative establishes as a condition the "free will ratified" by the affected party after being detailed informed of his situation and the possibilities that exist for responsible doctors.

The right to euthanasia will be included as another Social Security benefit so that any person who meets the required conditions can be a beneficiary of it.

Pablo Echenique, on behalf of Unidos Podemos, brought up the case of Ramón Sampedro , who did not need palliative care but wanted to die after three decades of total immobility. "The position on the right," said the deputy, "is that Ramón Sampedro is screwed."

Echenique emphasized, following in the wake of other spokesmen, the "lack of scruples" of the PP to focus their arguments against euthanasia in an economic approach.

Who can ask for help to die

According to the proposal of the PSOE admitted for processing, any person of legal age with Spanish nationality or legal residence in Spain and in full capacity to act and decide can request and receive help to die. The petition must be carried out in an "autonomous, conscious and informed" manner, and must also be found in the cases of "serious and incurable disease or serious, chronic and disabling illness that causes intolerable physical or psychic suffering".

The request must be made in writing and signed by the patient, who must also ratify it within 15 days. The document, which can be revoked at any time, will be signed in the presence of a doctor. A control and evaluation commission will verify compliance with all requirements.

The text contemplates two modalities of euthanasia: the administration to the patient of a lethal substance by the medical professional or the prescription of it for the patient to self-administer. In both cases the doctor will accompany and support the patient until death occurs.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • PP
  • Vox
  • PSOE
  • Spain
  • Pablo Echenique
  • UPN
  • United We Can
  • María Luisa Carcedo Roces
  • Euthanasia

PSOE and United Congress We can approve the Government to declassify the medals of 'Billy the Child'

VenezuelaThe Government and its partners prevent Congress from investigating Ábalos' meeting with Delcy Rodríguez

Politics Euthanasia breaks the blocks in Congress and the PP proposes a palliative law as an "alternative"