In an apparent change of mind, Slovenians have opposed an assisted suicide law after a binding referendum rejected legislation that was passed by their National Assembly earlier this year, as well as a non-binding referendum in support of assisted suicide the previous year.
On Sunday 23 November, 53.44% of Slovenians who cast a vote in the referendum voted against implementing an assisted suicide Act passed in the country’s National Assembly in July this year, with only 46.56% voting in favour of implementing the law.
After over 40,000 voters demanded a referendum, Slovenians were asked “Are you in favour of implementing the Assisted Voluntary End of Life Act (ZPPKŽ), which was adopted by the National Assembly at its session on July 24, 2025?”, with the majority opposing the implementation of the Act.
According to reports, the campaign against the assisted suicide law in Slovenia managed to collect the 40,000 signatures that forced another vote, which ultimately led to the defeat of the Act.
Slovenian voters have appeared to change their minds over the last year since, in June 2024, the results of a “consultative” or non-binding referendum on whether to adopt an assisted suicide law was approved by 54.89% to 45.11% against.
A number of high-profile medical experts have voiced concerns about Slovenia legalising assisted suicide.
Family doctor Dr Polona Campolunghi Pegan, speaking in a joint statement coordinated by the Slovenian Medical Association and Medical Chamber, warned that the proposed law would be introduced at the same time as basic healthcare is failing in Slovenia. “This law comes at a time when 150,000 people have no family doctor – instead of basic care, the state is offering help with suicide” (translated from Slovenian).
Palliative care specialist Dr Maja Ebert Moltara stressed that, in practice, patients want help to live well, rather than to die. “Patients ask us to help them live with dignity, not die; when we control pain and support them, the wish for death almost always disappears” (translated from Slovenian).
Dr Božidar Voljč, president of the National Medical Ethics Commission, said the law fundamentally clashes with medical ethics and the role of doctors: “This law ethically splits Slovenian healthcare and the medical profession; doctors should ensure a peaceful natural death with palliative care, not actively participate in death” (translated from Slovenian).
A joint text issued under the name of the Slovenian Medical Association, based on consultations with the Medical Chamber of Slovenia, the Slovenian Medical Academy and the National Medical Ethics Commission, stated: “As doctors, we cannot and do not want to become assistants in suicide. This would mean betraying our mission and the fundamental values of medicine.
“Our duty is to help, not harm; to alleviate suffering, not to cause death. We believe in dialogue, respect and compassion. At the end of their lives, people do not seek death, but dignity, safety and closeness. We as a society must ensure this for them – not with a law on death, but with a commitment to life and humanity.
“The Slovenian Medical Association, the Medical Chamber of Slovenia and the Slovenian Academy of Medicine call on the legislator to prioritise the legalisation of accessible palliative care, which will provide help to thousands of Slovenian residents, not just individual sufferers in need” (translated from Slovenian).
According to reports, the result of the referendum means the Slovenian parliament cannot vote again on a bill on the same issue over the next 12 months.
Wesley J Smith, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism said “I have long believed that the more people learn about assisted suicide, the less they support it. This campaign fits that presumption”.
“Good for the voters of Slovenia”.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “The defeat of the assisted suicide Act in Slovenia by referendum is a huge victory for opponents of these laws. It is especially significant because, barely a year before, voters had voted in favour of the principle of assisted suicide, thus indicating a turning of the tide as a majority of voters appear to have changed their mind on the issue”.
“It appears that the more the Slovenian public has learned about this issue, the more they have turned against it”.
