Politics · Italy · 5 hrs ago
Umbria approves law on medically assisted suicide
Umbria’s regional assembly approved a law on medically assisted suicide in Italy.
The measure, called “Liberi subito,” was backed by 11 lawmakers, opposed by six and saw three abstentions.
It follows similar laws in Tuscany, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto.
The law sets out how people can seek medically assisted death by self-administering a lethal drug, with each local health authority required to create a permanent multidisciplinary panel to check eligibility.
The proposal was supported by 4,801 signatures and was named in memory of Laura Santi, a journalist with multiple sclerosis who died after taking a drug in her Perugia home in July 2025.
Supporters said the vote upheld freedom and dignity, while some lawmakers argued that palliative care should be the priority.
Regional President Stefania Proietti did not vote, saying the issue should be addressed by Italy’s Parliament to ensure consistent rules nationwide.
Umbria’s regional legislative assembly approved a law on medically assisted suicide.
The measure passed with 11 votes in favour, six against and three abstentions.
The law sets out how people may access medically assisted death by self-administering a lethal drug.
It requires each local health authority to establish a permanent multidisciplinary commission to assess eligibility.
The proposal was a popular initiative supported by 4,801 signatures and named “Liberi subito.”
- Who
- Umbria’s regional legislative assembly approved the law.
- What
- It approved rules for access to medically assisted death by self-administering a lethal drug.
- When
- 22 October 2026.
- Where
- Umbria, Italy.
- Why
- The law establishes regional procedures for access and eligibility checks. The article does not state a single reason for the vote.
Supporters of the law
Critics of the law
Purpose
Supporters of the law
Supporters described the measure as a gain for freedom, dignity and civil rights.
Critics of the law
Bianca Maria Tagliaferri said the health service should provide care rather than accompany people to death.
Role of national government
Supporters of the law
Marco Cappato said the Italian government and Parliament were completely inactive on the issue.
Critics of the law
Stefania Proietti said the issue should be handled at the highest political level, Parliament, to ensure consistency.
Laura Santi died after self-administering a drug at her home in Perugia.
Umbria’s legislative assembly approved the law by 11 votes to six, with three abstentions.
- Vote
- 11 in favour, 6 against, 3 abstentions
- Popular initiative
- Liberi subito
- Signatures
- 4,801
- Eligibility checks
- A permanent multidisciplinary commission at each local health authority
2 sources
What people are saying
Oggi in Umbria compiamo una conquista di civiltà, di libertà, di dignità
Il tema è di una levatura tale che io penso debba essere trattato dal livello politico più alto di cui disponiamo che è il Parlamento, anche per garantire omogenenità
il servizio sanitario dovrebbe garantire le cure piuttosto che accompagnare alla morte
il governo italiano e il Parlamento sono completamente immobili e infilano la testa sotto la sabbia