South Tyrol health councilor vows to pursue assisted suicide law after bill blocked

South Tyrol's health councilor, Hubert Messner, voiced his frustration after a proposed law on medically assisted suicide was halted before it could be voted on in the provincial council. Messner, who had dedicated over 18 months to developing the bill, stated he was "not at all happy" with the outcome.

The legislation, which aimed to regulate end-of-life choices, faced criticism from some within his own party, the SVP. They argued that the bill had prioritized expert opinions over broader societal input and suggested that the region might not be ready for such a law.

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We have carried forward the bill for more than a year and a half. Then the text was blocked even before it was voted on. I say sincerely: I am not at all happy.

Messner defended his approach, explaining that he had studied the legislative paths taken by Tuscany and Sardinia and acted when provinces and regions were granted the authority to legislate on the matter in late 2025. He confirmed that the bill was blocked just before it was set to be presented to the council.

Despite this significant hurdle, Messner remains determined. In line with the intentions of President Arno Kompatscher, he assured that the issue would not be abandoned. A new bill is planned for development and introduction in the autumn, signaling a continued effort to address the complex topic of end-of-life care in South Tyrol.

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We will continue to deal with this issue because it is an important topic, and in the autumn we will develop a law.