The citizens of New Zealand voted in a referendum for the legalization of euthanasia in the Pacific country. As the electoral authority announced today, the corresponding proposal was accepted with 65.2 percent of the vote.
This provides that terminally ill adults in the South Pacific island state are given the right to medically assisted euthanasia under certain conditions.
Two doctors must agree that the terminally ill person does not have six months to live and should therefore be able to determine the course and time of death themselves. The outcome of the referendum on euthanasia is binding: a corresponding law should now come into force within one year.
„Kind, compassionate, humane“
The scheme makes New Zealand a „kinder, more compassionate and humane“ country, said founder of the initiative, David Seymour. “What a great day to be a Kiwi,” he added.
In another referendum, New Zealanders voted to legalize cannabis as a recreational drug. The result was much tighter: around 53 percent rejected the proposal, and more than 46 percent were in favor. The result is not binding, so there could be another referendum on the subject.
Both referendums were held at the same time as the parliamentary elections on October 17th. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Labor party celebrated a historic election victory. The final results of all three votes are due to be confirmed on November 6th.
