The government challenges Tuscany's law on the end of life. Giani: "Paradoxical, we will defend it".

The government has reportedly decided in the Council of Ministers to challenge Tuscany's law on the end of life. The region's provisions, the first to regulate the matter, had been approved in mid-March.

"It is paradoxical that, instead of working on a national law that has been awaited for years, the government chooses to hinder those who have worked to implement what was established by the Constitutional Court" "which indicated the need to fill a legislative gap in the field of medically assisted suicide". "We will defend our law with determination, certain that we have acted with respect for legality, the Constitution and, above all, for people". So said Tuscan governor Eugenio Giani on the government's decision to challenge the Tuscan law on the end of life.

Today's Council of Ministers gave the go-ahead to the legislative decree on 'Provisions on preventing and combating bullying and cyberbullying', implementing the delegation of powers under Article 3 of Law No. 70 of 2024. "With this measure a new, important step is added in the Government's action to promote a culture of respect and to combat bullying in all its forms. We are warning our young people about the risks of using the Internet and also alerting families to the responsibility that can result from violent behaviour by their children on social networks to the detriment of other young people. We also develop important prevention activities and help for victims, who can count on a dedicated toll-free number'. Thus the Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara.

Also approved was a legislative decree concerning the 'regulation of new methods of access to single-cycle degree courses in medicine and surgery, dentistry and dental prosthetics and veterinary medicine in implementation of Article 2, paragraph 2, letters a), b), c), d), e), i) and l) of Law No. 26 of 14 March 2025'. "For too long the dream of becoming a doctor has been hindered by quizzes, expensive private courses and transfers abroad. This was the 'closed number': a mechanism that excluded rather than enhanced talents, vocations and hopes. Today we are writing a new page. With the reform approved by the Council of Ministers, as of next academic year access to Medicine will finally be open: no entrance test, but a free first semester, during which real university training will take place'. Thus the Minister for Universities, Anna Maria Bernini, on the reform of access to Medicine. "Students will begin their journey with three fundamental subjects: Chemistry, Physics and Biology. It will be these exams that will define, in a transparent and meritocratic manner, access to the second semester. Examinations on skills acquired in the classroom, no more tests on generic questions. This is a turning point. We will overcome the old closed number system and start a new season for the right to study, with more places available and a concrete strengthening of our National Health System. By the end of the month, we will also approve the ministerial decrees with all the details: from the way exams will be held to the delivery of teaching, on which the universities will have autonomy of choice, but which will be carried out both in presence and at a distance, to ensure inclusion and quality. These are not slogans, but a change of perspective. Let us expand opportunities, let us enhance talents. This is the right to study, this is believing in the ambitions and talents of students,' Bernini concludes.

The Council of Ministers, at the proposal of President Giorgia Meloni, approved a decree-law that provides for the postponement of the deadline set forth in Article 21, paragraph 2, of Decree-Law No. 76 of 16 July 2020, on the subject of fiscal responsibility from 30 April to 31 December 2025.