Regis Philbin
Feb 11th, 2007, 10:59 PM
Gee, I wonder why people think the Western nations are apathetic and lazy... :rolleyes:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070211/ap_on_re_eu/portugal_abortion_7
Turnout too low in Portugal abortion bid
By BARRY HATTON, Associated Press Writer
Sun Feb 11, 3:49 PM ET
LISBON, Portugal - A national referendum to scrap Portugal's strict abortion law appeared headed to defeat Sunday because of low turnout, even though a majority of voters approved it.
Turnout was below the 50 percent required to make the ballot valid, according to exit polls. The government has said it would enact legislation easing the abortion law if most of those who voted Sunday backed the proposal.
Debate over the abortion law, one of the most restrictive in the European Union, pitted the Socialist government against conservative parties and the Catholic Church, which claims more than 90 percent of Portuguese as followers.
Under current law, the procedure is allowed only in cases of rape, fetal malformation or if a mother's health is in danger, and only in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
In most other EU nations, abortion is permitted within much broader limits. Women can ask for abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy in Britain and up to the 12th week in Germany, France and Italy. Portugal's center-left Socialist government wants to grant women the right to opt for abortion during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Between 57-61 percent voted in favor of allowing women to ask for abortions up to the 10th week, compared with 39-43 percent who opposed the change, according to a poll by public broadcaster Radiotelevisao Portuguesa. However, the poll said turnout was around 34-40 percent.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070211/ap_on_re_eu/portugal_abortion_7
Turnout too low in Portugal abortion bid
By BARRY HATTON, Associated Press Writer
Sun Feb 11, 3:49 PM ET
LISBON, Portugal - A national referendum to scrap Portugal's strict abortion law appeared headed to defeat Sunday because of low turnout, even though a majority of voters approved it.
Turnout was below the 50 percent required to make the ballot valid, according to exit polls. The government has said it would enact legislation easing the abortion law if most of those who voted Sunday backed the proposal.
Debate over the abortion law, one of the most restrictive in the European Union, pitted the Socialist government against conservative parties and the Catholic Church, which claims more than 90 percent of Portuguese as followers.
Under current law, the procedure is allowed only in cases of rape, fetal malformation or if a mother's health is in danger, and only in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
In most other EU nations, abortion is permitted within much broader limits. Women can ask for abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy in Britain and up to the 12th week in Germany, France and Italy. Portugal's center-left Socialist government wants to grant women the right to opt for abortion during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Between 57-61 percent voted in favor of allowing women to ask for abortions up to the 10th week, compared with 39-43 percent who opposed the change, according to a poll by public broadcaster Radiotelevisao Portuguesa. However, the poll said turnout was around 34-40 percent.