The theme of the end of life has been at the center of a heated debate in Italy for years. With this expression we indicate the possibility, for those suffering from an irreversible disease that causes enormous suffering, to choose how and when to end their existence, in conditions of full awareness and with the right medical assistance.
The Luca Coscioni Association has been asking for certain times and clear procedures for years for medically assisted suicide, to prevent the sick from having to wait long or go abroad. Hence the “Liberi immediately” regional law proposal that has already been approved in Tuscany (in February 2025) and now also in Sardinia.
The green light of the Sardinian Regional Council
Sardinia is in fact the second Italian region to approve a law on the end of life. The Regional Council has voted by a majority a text that establishes methods and times for access to medically assisted suicide, guaranteeing free health care.
The rule implements the sentence of the Constitutional Court n. 242/2019 and provides for the establishment of a permanent multidisciplinary commission in charge of verifying the presence of the requirements, composed of a palliativist doctor, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, a anesthesiologist, a nurse and a psychologist.
Once the verification is completed, the Region must provide the necessary technical and pharmacological support within seven days, with the path that will have to end within thirty days of the request. All connected health services will be free and supplied to the hospital, in hospice or even at home.
The measure passed with 32 votes in favor, 19 against and an abstention, marking transversal divisions between the various political groups, which is expected to be predictable given the delicacy of the theme.
Reactions
Great satisfaction for the Luca Coscioni association, who welcomed the approval of the law in Sardinia. Filomena Gallo and Marco Cappato commented:
We are grateful to the councilors and councilors of the Sardinia Region to have approved our law free immediately (…) Sardinia is so the second region, after Tuscany, to have this law of civilization, aimed at preventing the repetition of cases of people who have had to wait for a response for months, or even for years, in a condition of unbearable and irreversible suffering.
The reactions of the Pro Vita & Family Association that defined the ‘murderer’ law and asked the government to challenge it; and of the Italian Episcopal Conference which, through the archbishop of Cagliari Giuseppe Baturi, showed regret for approval, hoping for interventions at national level aimed at protecting life.
As happened in Tuscany, now the Sardinian law also risks being challenged by the government. Pending univocal legislation at national level, Cagliari’s vote is part of a path still open, which intertwines ethical, legal and political aspects.
Meanwhile, the battle continues and the Luca Coscioni Association makes it known that:
Our goal is now that of the approval of the “free” law in all Italian regions, where the ‘assisted suicide’ is already already legal (by virtue of the judgments of the Consulta), but without there being guarantees on times and procedures for sick people and doctors.
