The Senate on Thursday gave
final approval to a bill for living wills with 180 votes in
favour, 71 against and six abstentions.
The definitive green light was met with a big round of
applause in the Upper House.
A living will, also called a directive to physicians or
advance directive, is a document that lets people state their
wishes for end-of-life medical care, in case they become unable
to communicate their decisions.
It may include their stating they do not wish to be
artificially fed and hydrated.
Right-to-die activists have hailed the legislation saying it
has "finally" come eight years after the landmark case of Eluana
Englaro, which split the country.
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