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Senate approves living-wills bill Art 1 (2)

Drive to approve legislation before parliament dissolved

Redazione Ansa

(ANSA) - Rome, December 13 - The Senate on Wednesday approved Article 1 of a bill for living wills with 154 votes in favour, 36 against and four abstentions. The ruling Democratic Party (PD) is hoping to push the bill through to end a legislative vacuum on end-of-life issues before parliament is dissolved ahead of elections early next year with the support of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S).
    Many Catholic lawmakers are opposed. 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 bill saying it has "finally" come eight years after the landmark case of Eluana Englaro, which split the country.
   

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