The government is challenging the Veneto end-of-life law. This is what emerges from today's Council of Ministers which sees on the agenda, in addition to the legislative decrees on bills and the National Anti-Corruption Authority, also some regional laws. Veneto, governed by the Northern League member Alberto Stefani, is the first region administered by the centre-right to have given the green light to "procedures and times for regional healthcare assistance for medically assisted suicide". As far as we know, the leader of the League Matteo Salvini did not participate in either the discussion or the vote.
Calderoli against the appeal, Tajani asks for legislative intervention from Parliament
Unlike Deputy Prime Minister Salvini, the Minister for Regional Affairs Roberto Calderoli, also a Northern League member, spoke out against the appeal. According to Calderoli it is in fact a regulatory law that only indicates the guidelines in compliance with the rules already in force. The government now has until the end of the week to present the challenge to the Constitutional Court. For his part, as far as we know, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani, during the debate in the Council of Ministers, had the need for legislative intervention by Parliament put in the minutes, on behalf of the Forza Italia delegation. For the party, in fact, such a delicate matter must be regulated by the Chambers through national legislation that avoids the proliferation of regional laws, even in conflict with each other, and implements the indications of the Constitutional Court.
In-depth analysis
End of life law, which regions have introduced it and what it provides
Stefani: "Law will pass the scrutiny of the Consulta"
"The law voted by the Veneto Regional Council is substantially different from those approved in other regions and subject to requests for modifications by the Constitutional Court," the president of the Veneto Region, Alberto Stefani, said in a statement. "The amendments approved in the sense of favor vitae demonstrate this. For this reason, from a legal point of view, I am convinced that it will pass the scrutiny of the Council".
Zaia: "I respect the decision of the Council of Ministers, I claim the choice of the Veneto Council"
The president of the Veneto Regional Council, Luca Zaia, made it known that he respected the government's decision but also said that he supported the choice of the Region which he himself supported. "It is a constitutional prerogative of the Government, which has the right to turn to the Council when it believes that a regional law presents aspects of unconstitutionality. Just as it is fully legitimate - explained Zaia - that the representatives of the League in the Council of Ministers did not participate in the vote. Personally, I firmly support the choice made by the Veneto Regional Council, which I personally supported and voted for". For Zaia "the appeal will represent a further opportunity for legal in-depth analysis. The Constitutional Court has already expressed its opinion on the regulations of Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and Sardinia, also clarifying the spaces within which the Regions can intervene. Now it will also have the opportunity to express its opinion on the Venetian law. We await this judgment with serenity, convinced of the seriousness of the work carried out and of the desire to fully respect the constitutional framework. But I believe - concluded the President of the Regional Council - that the real problem is another, and that cannot be attributed to this Government or to a single political majority: for too many years Italy has been dragging a legislative void on the end of life that no Parliament has yet managed to fill".
Law approved in Veneto
The popular initiative law on the end of life was approved on 2 September 2026 by the Veneto Regional Council after two days of discussion. Previously only Tuscany, Sardinia and Emilia-Romagna had done the same. The provision, which defines "procedures and times for regional healthcare assistance for medically assisted suicide", was approved with 32 votes in favour, 5 abstentions and 14 against. With the green light, Veneto became the first region administered by the centre-right to say yes to the law.
