Portugal’s parliament moved to decriminalize euthanasia in a decisive step this week, overcoming the final political veto from the conservative president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. He had indicated plans to appeal to the Constitutional Court, but that move will not halt the new statute as it proceeds toward implementation.
This milestone follows nearly six years of debate. The path featured multiple versions of the bill and four attempts by Rebelo de Sousa to overturn it, two of which were presidential vetoes and two rooted in constitutional concerns raised by the court.
Ultimately the measure was approved with 129 votes from the Socialist majority, the Left Bloc, and allied groups along with support from livestock farmers, Livre, and Iniciativa Liberal. Right-wing parties, including the Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the far-right Chega, opposed the bill, with a few exceptions among their members. Members from the Socialist and PSD ranks were allowed to vote freely, resulting in four PS deputies voting against and eight conservatives voting in favor.
The presidential veto does not block enactment. As Socialist MP Isabel Moreira noted to Efe, the Constitution allows the law to advance with a majority of more than 116 deputies even after a veto. Rebelo de Sousa, who is a practicing Catholic, now has eight days to promulgate the law. He has stated that his final veto sought certainty rather than constitutional concerns and described the process as not dramatic.
Both the PSD and Chega have signaled intentions to appeal to the Constitutional Court and to seek a referendum, though such actions would not suspend the new rules while the process unfolds.
Public sentiment supports decriminalization, with 61 percent of Portuguese surveyed in February by Aximage expressing approval, a figure that climbs to 70 percent among 18 to 35 year olds. These findings come from a study conducted for several Portuguese media outlets.
six years of debate
Portugal now joins neighboring European countries, including Spain and Belgium, in moving forward after a lengthy process that spanned six years and multiple parliamentary sessions. Analysts note that no country has exposed as many guarantees, details, and procedures over so many years as Portugal has. Isabel Moreira described the final version as highly protective, emphasizing the emphasis on safeguards and patient rights.
Throughout the lengthy journey, the General Assembly refined the bill to address each veto while preserving constitutional legitimacy. The law, in its final form, has clear authority to proceed regardless of political shifts, according to statements from the Left Bloc and other supporters.
assisted death criteria
The approved text defines medical-assisted death as a decision made by the patient themselves, applied to adults experiencing intense suffering due to a grave illness that is incurable or has reached a state of extreme severity. The procedure requires professional medical administration or assistance and is limited to individuals who meet established criteria.
The framework prioritizes assisted death in cases where patients are physically unable to perform the act themselves. It also restricts eligibility to citizens or residents of Portugal, ensuring local applicability and oversight.
Following approval, the president holds an eight day window to promulgate the law. The statute will take effect the day after it is published in the Diário da República, marking the official transition into force.