The Estonian political party Eesti 200 wants a referendum to be held alongside the Riigikogu elections in March. The referendum would ask people's opinion about legalizing euthanasia.
Eesti 200 has submitted a proposal to the Riigikogu. They want to know if people support euthanasia. Euthanasia means that a person with a severe illness can end their life with medical assistance.
Kristina Kallas, the leader of Eesti 200, said that the referendum would give people the opportunity to express their opinion. This does not mean that euthanasia would be immediately legalized. First, it is necessary to find out what people think.
Kallas said this is a difficult topic. But she believes that Estonian society is ready to discuss it. The referendum would help the next Riigikogu decide whether euthanasia should be possible in Estonia.
The ballot question would be: "Should there be a right to euthanasia in Estonia?" The answer options would be "yes" or "no."
Eesti 200 member Kadri Tali said that the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that a person may end their own life. But each country must decide for itself how to regulate this.
Tali asked other political parties to discuss euthanasia with their voters. She hopes the Riigikogu will support the referendum.
Tali said that this is not a political party issue but a human one. We cannot decide how long someone lives. But we can decide how to treat people with dignity.
To organize the referendum, more than half of the Riigikogu members must vote in favor.