Spain legalises euthanasia and assisted suicide

Spanish MPs on Thursday legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide for people with serious and incurable or debilitating diseases who want to end their life, despite facing strong opposition from religious groups and the far-right.

“Today we are a more humane, just and freer country. The euthanasia law, widely demanded by society, finally becomes a reality,” tweeted Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez.

“Thanks to all the people who have fought tirelessly so that the right to die with dignity was recognized in Spain.”

A long round of applause rang out after the lower house of parliament passed the law, with 202 votes in favour, 141 against and with two abstentions.

Until now, helping a person to end their life in Spain was punishable with a jail term of 10 years.

The law, which applies to Spanish citizens and foreign nationals, including any of the 290,000 British citizens who have legal residence in Spain, will come into force in three months while regional committees assess requests.