The discussion on the legalization of euthanasia in Uruguay has generated an intense debate in the parliamentary arena. Recently, senators José Carlos Mahía and José Nunes of the Frente Amplio, together with Colorado senator Pablo Lanz, requested that the bill seeking to legalize this practice be addressed as “serious and urgent.” The initiative, which has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies, is currently under study in the Health Commission.
The motion presented by the senators of the Frente Amplio and Lanz did not obtain the necessary votes to prosper: it only obtained the support of 14 senators out of the 31 present, thus remaining in the minority.
At the start of the vote, Vice President Beatriz Argimón expressed her “concern” about dealing with the issue without the prior approval of the corresponding committee. “The issue is being discussed and it seems that it is important to consider the will of the senators who are part of the committee,” said Argimón.
Senator José Nunes defended the motion, arguing that the project has gone through an extensive parliamentary process. “We have heard many points of view and, therefore, it is necessary for Parliament to adopt a response, to give a response to the communities that are concerned. We do not think it is right that this is not dealt with by the plenary session,” said Nunes.
Senator José Carlos Mahía, for his part, emphasized that the project has been in committee for several months and that there are only eight ordinary sessions of the Senate left to discuss it. “We are talking about a limited time when there are only fundamental differences,” Mahía declared.
Senator Sebastián Sabini of the Frente Amplio questioned the performance of the Health Commission, chaired by the Colorado Carmen Sanguinetti. “They have had enormous problems working, go see how many times it met this year. Nobody is going to change their opinion with the commission’s report,” said Sabini.
From the ruling party, senators Sergio Botana and Jorge Gandini also expressed their points of view. Botana argued: “You have to resolve the problem so that it is not a matter of future discussion. Now there is electoral time and time for dispute. I am afraid that a matter of consensus will turn into controversy. That is why we have not supported this project.”
Gandini, for his part, said: “It is one of the most complex issues, it is a topic that has received strong opinions for and against. It is a topic that must be treated with moderation. I hope to be able to do so with the commission’s reports. I prefer that the body receives a well-considered text.”
Right to euthanasia: a project on hold
Despite the arguments, the project remains in the Health Commission without guaranteed votes. Another major obstacle is the perception that a majority of the Public Health Commission is opposed to the measure. The Colorado Party, the initial promoters of the project, continues to insist that it be voted on, even with a negative report from the commission.
President Luis Lacalle Pou had suggested to the senators of the commission that they not vote on the project before the primaries. Senator Jorge Gandini, one of the few figures of the National Party who has not expressed a strong opposition to euthanasia, has repeatedly stressed the need to separate the issue from the electoral campaign.
According to reports, 15 parliamentarians have confirmed their support for the project. These include Pablo Lanz, the 13 senators of the Frente Amplio, and the white Juan Sartori. However, the project needs at least 16 votes to be approved.
Within the Colorado Party, Carmen Sanguinetti and Germán Coutinho have announced their opposition to the project. The fierce resistance of Cabildo Abierto and its Ministry of Public Health also complicates the situation, leaving the final decision in the hands of other leaders of the National Party.
Graciela Bianchi, who initially supported the project, confessed to being “thinking a little” due to the multiple changes and consensus that have “denaturalized” the initiative. Senator Jorge Gandini also maintains his position in doubt.
Finally, the Nationalist Senator Amín Niffouri has declared himself against the project, which means that, if approved by the Public Health Commission, the text must be sent to the plenary with a negative majority report.
