Voters in Slovenia rejected a binding resolution that would have legalized assisted suicide within the country. This vote marks a seeming change of heart from the past year, which saw the country approve of a non-binding resolution in support of assisted suicide in 2024 and the National Assembly passing a bill to legalize assisted suicide in July.
Just over 53% of Slovenians voted to reject implementing an assisted suicide act on November 23, with 46.56% voting in approval. Voters were asked “Are you in favor of implementing the Assisted Voluntary End of Life Act (ZPPKŽ), which was adopted by the National Assembly at its session on July 24, 2025?”
The law passed overwhelmingly in Slovenia’s National Assembly, but was opposed by both the Slovenian Medical Association and Medical Chamber.
Doctors in Slovenia opposed to killing patients
A joint statement from the two organizations remarked that this law was proposed at a time when Slovenia’s healthcare system is on the brink of failure.
“This law comes at a time when 150,000 people have no family doctor – instead of basic care, the state is offering help with suicide,” said the statement in Slovenian.
A separate statement issued by the Slovenian Medical Association claimed, “As doctors, we cannot and do not want to become assistants in suicide. This would mean betraying our mission and the fundamental values of medicine.”
“Our duty is to help, not harm; to alleviate suffering, not to cause death. We believe in dialogue, respect and compassion. At the end of their lives, people do not seek death, but dignity, safety and closeness. We as a society must ensure this for them – not with a law on death, but with a commitment to life and humanity.
“The Slovenian Medical Association, the Medical Chamber of Slovenia and the Slovenian Academy of Medicine call on the legislator to prioritize the legalization of accessible palliative care, which will provide help to thousands of Slovenian residents, not just individual sufferers in need,” said the statement.
With the results of this election, Slovenia cannot consider new legislation on assisted suicide for 12 months.
Slovenia has a population of just over 2 million and according to 2019 survey results, it is about 70% Catholic. Aleteia has a Slovenian edition, and at times, as many as 1 in 5 Slovenes have been readers. Current numbers are about 1 in 10.
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