In a final video message released posthumously by her husband, Italian journalist Laura Santi passionately implored lawmakers to reject proposed end-of-life legislation, calling it “truly disastrous.” Recorded before her assisted suicide in Perugia, the footage shows Santi arguing: “This isn’t an attempt to regulate end-of-life choices—it aims to eliminate them. As humans, I beg you: show common sense and vote it down.”
Addressing parliament directly, Santi urged: “Do what you want with politics, but I beg you—Italy, care for your most gravely ill. I refuse to leave a country that ignores and mocks severe patients.” She concluded: “Today, Laura speaks to you as one human to another. Vote according to your conscience.”
The video opens with Santi stating: “When you see this, I’ll be gone—choosing to end my suffering by my own will and right.” Earlier, she had asserted to ANSA: “Life is worth living if one chooses, even at 100 under brutal conditions. But *we* who endure extreme suffering must decide—no one else.”
Meanwhile, committee discussions confirmed delays to Italy’s end-of-life bill. Joint Justice and Health committees will review amendments post-summer recess. Of 140 proposed amendments to the majority-backed bill, only 18 originate from ruling parties (Fratelli d’Italia: 10; Forza Italia: 3; Noi Moderati: 5), with the remainder from opposition groups.
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