More than 750,000 people have signed the referendum for the legalization of euthanasia to date. Over 500,000 signatures were collected at the tables while digital ones exceeded 250,000. To these numbers is added a still unspecified number of signatures collected in municipalities, consulates and lawyers’ offices and by some groups that have joined the mobilization in recent weeks.
Among the latest signatures collected, also those of Roberto Saviano, Pif and Francesco Guccini. «I signed because today, without a law that regulates it – says Saviano – euthanasia is not a right accessible to everyone. I signed up to be free to choose even those who cannot afford to reach countries where euthanasia is legal. Signing up to promote this referendum, whatever you think of it, is an act of respect for life and for others “.
The objective of collecting at least 750,000 signatures in order to secure the result from any possibility of errors in the collection, delays of the Public Administration and difficulties in returning the forms, has therefore been achieved. To date, the physically signed signatures already returned to the Committee are 184,292, of which 86,209 have already been certified and ready for delivery. Valle d’Aosta, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Sardinia are the top three regions by number of signatures based on the number of inhabitants.
“The extraordinary result of the collection of signatures shows that the referendum addresses and gives answers to a great social question removed by Parliament and the leaders of the big parties: that of the quality of life and the freedom of choices until the end of life. The collection of signatures continues, also to send an even clearer and stronger message to the institutions and to the whole country. I am confident that we will exceed one million signatures », declared Filomena Gallo, Secretary of the Luca Coscioni Association.
“The tables on the street and the other signature collection points will be open throughout the month of September, transforming into our” sidewalk seats “, that is, information places for citizens on all the tools to live free until the end, including the will biological care, palliative care and assisted suicide, legalized by the Council but boycotted by the National Health Service, as in the case of Mario, whom we will visit on Thursday in Ancona », declared Marco Cappato, Luca Coscioni Association Treasurer.