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Slovenia Votes in Referendum on Legalising Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Patients

Slovenia held a referendum on a July law that would let mentally competent terminally ill adults self-administer a lethal drug after approval by two doctors and a consultation period; the law excludes cases involving only mental illness. Supporters, including Prime Minister Robert Golob's government, say it preserves dignity and choice, while opponents call for stronger palliative care and raise constitutional concerns. The measure will be overturned only if a majority votes no and those votes reach at least 20% of the roughly 1.7 million eligible voters.

12:08 AM, 11/24/2025Politics
Slovenia Votes in Referendum on Legalising Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Patients

Slovenians went to the polls on Sunday in a binding referendum on a law that would allow mentally competent terminally ill adults to end their own lives under strict conditions. Parliament approved the legislation in July after a nonbinding referendum last year showed public support; opponents then gathered more than 40,000 signatures to force the decisive vote.

What the law would allow

The law permits mentally competent adults who have no realistic chance of recovery or who face unbearable physical suffering to obtain assistance to die. Patients would self-administer a prescribed lethal medication only after two independent doctors approve the request and a mandatory consultation period is observed. The legislation explicitly excludes people whose conditions are solely mental illnesses.

Supporters and opponents

Supporters—including the liberal government of Prime Minister Robert Golob—argue the law gives individuals the right to a dignified, autonomous end and to decide how and when to end intolerable suffering. Opponents, among them conservative groups, some medical associations and the Catholic Church, contend the measure conflicts with constitutional protections and that the state should instead expand and improve palliative and hospice care.

President Nataša Pirc Musar urged citizens to vote, calling participation "extremely important" and saying it is right for individuals to express their views directly to politicians.

How the referendum outcome is decided

The law will be overturned only if a majority of voters reject it and those "no" votes represent at least 20% of Slovenia's roughly 1.7 million eligible voters. Election authorities reported turnout of just over 10% after four hours of voting. Recent opinion polls have shown more Slovenians favour the law than oppose it.

Regional context

If the law remains in place, Slovenia would join several other European countries that permit assisted dying under regulated conditions, including neighbouring Austria and the Netherlands. The vote underscores ongoing ethical, medical and legal debates across Europe about end-of-life rights and safeguards.

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