LJUBLJANA – On Sunday, the citizens of Slovenia participated in a referendum concerning a significant law that would permit terminally ill individuals to choose to end their lives.

In July, the Slovenian Parliament, representing this small EU country, approved the legislation following a favorable outcome in a nonbinding referendum the previous year. However, those opposing the measure gathered over 40,000 signatures, prompting another referendum on this contentious issue.

The proposed law allows mentally competent individuals, who have no hope of recovery or are enduring unbearable pain, the right to seek assisted dying. This process requires patients to self-administer the lethal medication after receiving the necessary approvals from two separate doctors and undergoing a consultation period.

It is important to note that the law excludes individuals suffering from mental illnesses.

Supporters of the law, including the liberal administration led by Prime Minister Robert Golob, argue that it provides individuals the autonomy to die with dignity, allowing them to determine the timing and manner of ending their suffering.

Opponents include conservative groups, some doctors associations and the Catholic church. They say that the law goes against Slovenia’s constitution and that the state should work to provide better palliative care instead.

The law will be rejected if a majority of people who cast ballots vote against, and they represent at least 20% of the 1.7 million eligible voters. Recent opinion polls in Slovenia have shown more people are in favor of the law than oppose it.

If the law remains in place, Slovenia will join several other EU countries that have already passed similar laws, including neighboring Austria and the Netherlands.