Eluana Englaro’s Death and the Debate over Living Wills

Around the death of Eluana Englaro (EE), in Italy was developed a public debate that has come to extend to all issues relating to Living Will. The controversy which is generated by the story of E.E. represents a case of public ethics: the complex relationship between autonomy individual and collective choices, which are managed by one of the difficult tasks that politics and the law are called to play. The chapter begins with the reconstruction of the events of EE, highlighting the complex and interwoven relationships and conflicts between various institutional on the issue of suspension of hydration and nutrition artificial in patients who are not able to communicate their will. Secondly, it analyzes the debate and the different positions of political parties on EE and Living Will and their decisions in the parliamentary arena. It is interesting to note a some divergence between public opinion and policy choices on the issue of Living Will. Finally, the case study raises the question of Birth of a ethical cleavages among political parties and coalitions.