Chiara Nava The Council of Ministers has decided to challenge the Veneto Region's law on end-of-life care , which regulates procedures and timeframes for access to physician-assisted suicide. The decision came just days before the deadline for appealing to the Constitutional Court and adds to those already adopted against the regulations approved by Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and Sardinia.
This time, however, the measure concerns a law passed by a center-right region. This circumstance made the decision particularly delicate, exposing divisions within the majority during the Council of Ministers. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini did not participate in either the discussion or the vote, while Minister for Regional Affairs Roberto Calderoli , both members of the League, declared himself opposed to the appeal.
Tensions did not only concern the Northern League. During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani , on behalf of the Forza Italia delegation, also called for legislative intervention by Parliament. The Forza Italia party's position is that such a sensitive matter should be regulated at the national level, avoiding the proliferation of potentially different and conflicting regional laws and implementing the recommendations of the Constitutional Court.
Zaia defends the law: "Parliament must finally address the issue."
Veneto Regional Council President Luca Zaia stated that he fully respects the government's decision, noting that challenging a regional law is a constitutional prerogative of the executive branch. He also emphasized that the League's failure to vote in the Council of Ministers is equally legitimate.
Zaia, however, affirmed the decision made by the regional assembly, which he personally supported and voted for. He hopes that the new appeal to the Constitutional Court will serve as a stimulus for Parliament to finally address the issue , without further delay.
Veneto Regional President Alberto Stefani also defended the measure, arguing that the law approved in Veneto is " substantially different from those approved in other regions ." According to Stefani, the amendments introduced with the aim of strengthening the protection of life could allow the legislation to pass the Constitutional Court's scrutiny.
The amendments were crucial to reaching a cross-party agreement in the Regional Council. Among the new provisions are a strengthened opinion from the palliative care physician, the establishment of a regional bioethics committee appointed by the Regional Council, priority for palliative care for those who request it, and the requirement to adequately inform patients about the possibility of accessing it before undertaking physician-assisted suicide. Ten of the amendments were presented by Stefani himself.
Approval in Veneto and divisions between parties
The popular initiative bill, already examined and rejected in January 2024, was approved by the Veneto Regional Council on September 2 , after two days of debate. The bill received 32 votes in favor, 14 against, and four abstentions.
On that occasion, too, the majority was divided. The nine Brothers of Italy councilors voted unanimously against the law, while Forza Italia allowed its representatives to express their conscience. The approval was achieved thanks in part to the support of the opposition, particularly after the debate with the Democratic Party group. The League, led by Riccardo Barbisan , who are close to the government's positions, opposed the bill.
The latter, despite having voted against the measure, stated that he had no fear of a possible ruling of unconstitutionality. In his opinion, even a negative ruling from the Constitutional Court could help clarify the boundaries between the powers of the State and those of the Regions on such a sensitive issue.
The Democratic Party's group leader in the Regional Council, Giovanni Manildo , interpreted the government's decision as confirmation of a deep political divide within the majority. The Democratic Party, he explained, will calmly await the Constitutional Court's ruling.