Debate about euthanasia: Political decision about life and death is imminent!

Debate about euthanasia: Political decision about life and death is imminent!

In a dramatic turning point for British legislation, MPs are faced with a decisive vote on the controversial law on euthanasia for terminally ill patients. The debate about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill started on Friday and could fundamentally change the life of many terminal patients. The legislative template stipulates that mentally competent adults can die medically assisted with a life expectancy of less than six months.

The Labor MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the law, emphasizes that a change in the law would enable the affected "freedom of choice, autonomy and dignity at the end of life". Proponents argue that it is about shortening death for terminally ill and giving them more control over their own lives. But the opponents warn that sick people could come under pressure to end their lives so as not to be a burden to their families. "It is not about a choice between life or death, but about the decision on how to die," explained leadbeater, while outside the law was demonstrated by both supporters and opponents of the law.

controversial coordination and opinion polls

Two surveys of the past week show that a majority of the population is behind the law. Nevertheless, many MPs have not yet made a clear opinion, since the vote is "free vote" in which the MPs can vote according to their conscience and not according to party specifications. Leadbeater assures that the law will contain the "strictest security measures in the world" - the desire of a patient, would have to be approved by a judge and two doctors.

Despite the support of the population, the backing in parliament is unsure. Some MPs express concerns that the current proposal for details lack and that more research is required on the legal and financial effects of a change in the law. Parliament's spokesman, Lindsay Hoyle, rejected an application on Friday that was supposed to stop the debate about the law. If the law passes the vote, it will be subjected to 2025 further votes in the parliamentary process.