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The Portuguese parliament approved the legalization of euthanasia. Reported by the Associated Press.
136 parliamentarians voted for, 78 – against, four more abstained. According to the approved bills, terminally ill and seriously wounded patients will receive the right to unauthorized part with their lives with the assistance of doctors.
Now the bills will go to the President of Portugal, Marcel Rebelo de Sousa. Even if the leader of the country vetoes them, parliament can get them adopted by a second vote.
At the moment, euthanasia and suicide with the assistance of doctors are allowed in the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia, Luxembourg, Spain, Canada, Switzerland, Germany and also in some states of Australia and the United States.