Spanish Congress Approves Faster Judicial Review for Euthanasia Cases

The Spanish Congress of Deputies voted 178‑169 to advance a proposal originating from the Catalan Parliament that would shorten judicial deadlines in euthanasia cases to a maximum of 25 days. The amendment would modify the Organic Law on Euthanasia (LORE) and the law governing the contentious‑administrative jurisdiction, establishing non‑extendable, single‑instance reviews by the corresponding Superior Court of Justice.

Support for the measure came from Junts, ERC, PSC, and the CUP, while the PP, Vox and UPN opposed it. Lawmakers cited the case of Noelia Castillo, whose euthanasia request was delayed for over 600 days due to legal appeals, as a key example of the human cost of procedural delays. Opponents framed euthanasia as “murder,” arguing that safeguards must remain strict, whereas proponents argued that the new limits would prevent unnecessary suffering.

The proposal now proceeds to the next stage of parliamentary processing.