Botella thought of ending his life when agonizing pain confined him to his bed six years ago. Though he has since changed his mind, he wants the option to do so legally. Despite opposition from the political right and religious groups, once signed into law, Spain will become the European Union's fourth country to legalise the practice after Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. In 2019, Spaniard Angel Hernandez was briefly arrestedafter helping his terminally ill wife end her life, sparking public outcry. "People say it's polemic, but I'd rather consider it an act of love," Botella said of Hernandez's case.

Source: Irish Independent March 18, 2021 09:52 UTC