Estonia 200 seeks euthanasia referendum alongside parliamentary election

Estonian party Eesti 200 has proposed holding a referendum on legalising euthanasia alongside next March’s parliamentary election, ERR reported. The party’s parliamentary group submitted a bill on Thursday asking eligible voters whether adults with legal capacity who have a serious, incurable illness should be able to leave life with medical assistance.

Eesti 200 leader Kristina Kallas said the referendum would give policymakers guidance from the public. The bill would not establish a legal framework for assisted suicide or euthanasia, nor decide what such rules might contain, she said.

The proposed ballot question asks: “Should the right of an adult with legal capacity to leave life with medical assistance in the event of a serious and incurable illness be legalised in Estonia?” Voters would be able to answer yes or no.

Kadri Tali, a member of Eesti 200’s parliamentary group, urged other parties to consult their voters and members and support holding the referendum in the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament. Tali said the European Court of Human Rights had found that people may decide to end their lives of their own free will, while leaving countries to shape their own laws on the issue.

A simple majority of MPs voting in favour is generally enough for the Riigikogu to approve putting a question to a referendum.