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The Spanish Parliament has approved the legalization of euthanasia.
In the final vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday, a clear majority of 202 MPs voted for the corresponding law, 141 voted against, and two MPs abstained.
This means that people with a “serious and incurable” illness or “chronic”, severely restrictive pain can receive euthanasia at their own express request in order to avoid “unbearable suffering”.
The law is due to come into force in June.
With this law "we are moving closer to a more humane and just society", said Minister of Health Carolina Darias, referring to "the people who are in a situation of great suffering and their families".
The draft law was introduced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's socialist minority government.
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This makes Spain the fourth country in Europe, after the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, where euthanasia is allowed.
The parliament in Portugal voted in favor of legalizing euthanasia at the end of January, but the Constitutional Court called for improvements to the law on Monday.