By: Gašper Blažič
Since the greatest euphoria after the referendum on the law on assistance in voluntary ending of life has already subsided, it is time to draw a line. Some may be disappointed by this conclusion, but the fact remains that this is only one of the first battles won when it comes to respecting life.
Alongside this, I also have two pieces of bad news. The first is that the current ruling nomenclature will certainly try to push a similar law into legislation through the back door – if not gently, then forcefully. The second bad news is that our legislation has, since the 1970s, already legalised the killing of unborn children. Nika Kovač in Brussels is therefore merely “discovering hot water,” while her like‑minded colleague, Minister Simon Maljevac, spends European funds intended for the long‑term care project on new jobs at his ministry with the bizarre name “Solidary Future.” This is just the cherry on top of all the perversity that the “radiator lovers” in politics are capable of.
Nevertheless, the reversed reflection of last year’s referendum result is very significant. Back then, about 310,000 citizens voted against euthanasia. This time, 370,000 did. For comparison: in the consultative referendum, euthanasia was supported by 378,000 eligible voters; this time, only 322,000. That means at least 55,000 votes “shifted” to the other side. It is true that this time medical organisations were much louder. Likewise religious communities, as well as the majority of civil society. Political parties from the opposition and those outside parliament also spoke out much more. One could say that unity won, since in the last week before the referendum, campaigning against the law completely drowned out the mainstream media, which together with their political patrons relied on opinion polls intended to demoralise opponents, telling them they had no chance and should resign themselves to it. But the effect was the opposite, similar to the referendum on privileged pensions. It is worth recalling the turnaround that occurred during the collection of signatures for the referendum. Just a week before the deadline, it seemed the initiators would not succeed in gathering the required 40,000 signatures. When the Church and numerous civil society organisations spoke out publicly, the mood visibly improved.
Yet it was not only visible activity. In the time before the referendum, many prayer groups, parishes, religious communities, and monasteries became active, not only in Slovenia, but also in Croatia and elsewhere. There was an incredible sense of prayer support, which together with the united effort brought success in circumstances where normal human strength could not achieve much. But the Bible already teaches us how a weaker army can defeat a stronger enemy. Let us recall David, who as a young boy under incredible circumstances defeated the fearsome Goliath. Before he went against him, he clearly declared that he would do so in the name of the Lord of Hosts. And of course he won the battle against the foe whom everyone feared. Therefore, the referendum on life and death is in fact a powerful testimony, without even mentioning the “underground” reactions.
Let this success not lull us to sleep. Next March we face a new decisive step: parliamentary elections. Maximum engagement will be needed – from prayer and fasting to raising citizens’ awareness, since it is clear that in the 2022 elections a great tragedy befell us, which at the time we did not yet see, but could sense. The spring camp faced those elections in a collapsed state: due to the influence of strong anti‑vaccination propaganda and the successful persuasion of many right‑wing voters that Janša’s last government was in fact “globalist,” the deep state had no difficulty winning, since many right‑wing voters stayed home, while some fell for the propaganda about “freedom.” Let us harbour no illusions that the nomenclature will release power from its hands without major resistance. It will not. That is why we also need strong prayer support for the homeland.
