Malta PM says ‘brilliant’ youth advisors are urging him to legalize euthanasia

Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that he has opened discussion surrounding the potential legalization of euthanasia in the country.

Abela made the announcement on national television, explaining that he had been discussing the issue with the Youth Advisory Forum, a group of nine youths who serve as paid advisors to the Prime Minister. The young people advocated for euthanasia, which in turn spurred Abela to formally present the issue to the Cabinet.

“These youths are brilliant, and they’re giving me so many ideas,” Abela said. “I discussed euthanasia with the Youth Advisory Forum before raising the topic with the Cabinet.”

Abela’s remarks follow December comments from Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela, who indicated that the country may consider a euthanasia law similar to one currently being considered in the United Kingdom. “We will offer palliative care to patients, of course, but sometimes even the best palliative care leaves the patient in a lot of pain with no hope of surviving. In those circumstances, I believe doctor-assisted suicide is suitable and justified,” he said.

READ: Malta’s PM claims abortion legislation won’t legalize abortion… but opponents disagree

Malta, once a very pro-life Catholic country, appears to be caving to the culture of death in more ways than one. The country’s Health Ministry recently announced that five babies had been aborted in the country for “life of the mother” reasons since 2023, yet abortion advocates are pushing for abortion’s expansion. The country’s president, Myriam Spiteri Debono, stated in an interview this year that she believes the introduction of abortion and euthanasia to Malta is “inevitable.” As Live Action News previously reported:

“I think it is inevitable,” she said. “If we study the developments even in other countries, they began with 100% being against it. The important thing is that it does not enter the country by just slipping through by stealth. It’s the same with euthanasia. The most important thing that is discussed, and on euthanasia it seems a profound discussion is about to start.”

She continued, “When it comes to abortion there is another thing. As far as I know it is only us and the Philippines which do not have it. But euthanasia, no. Euthanasia is not that widely accepted. We have to proceed slowly but it is important that ultimately we have a clear direction from the people, what they want as a nation and I believe that the best tool is a referendum, and nothing else.”

In December, Reforms Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg announced she would be releasing a White Paper some time in 2025 discussing the potential implementation of euthanasia.

“I look forward to a mature discussion on the issue that is based on facts… Our aim is to give the person passing through a lot of suffering the chance to make their own choices about themselves. But we are not just studying but also talking to people because after all this deals with human stories,” she said at the time.

“This is a sensitive discussion,” she added. “I will not be a wise politician if I do not do my homework and study existing legislation in other countries. Across Europe this is a controversial subject and there aren’t many countries that have such laws in place. Even if such a law exists elsewhere it does not automatically mean that it makes sense for Malta.”

According to Italpress, the government will next consider the suggestions of the Youth Advisory Forum in determining how or if to legalize euthanasia.