Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Turnout Too Low for Portugal Abortion
(By: The Associated Press, Sunday, February 11, 2007; 3:18 PM)
LISBON, Portugal -- A national referendum to scrap Portugal's strict abortion law appeared headed to defeat Sunday by low turnout, though a majority of voters cast ballots in its favor.
Debate over the 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. The 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, lower than the more than 50 percent required to make the ballot valid.
Labels: Catholic Belief, News
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Unfortunately, the Portuguese governemnt will pass the law, and Portuguese president said that he will not veto it...
So the only thing is to pray Our Lady of Fatima, for the Portuguese nation and all the sinners.
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So the only thing is to pray Our Lady of Fatima, for the Portuguese nation and all the sinners.
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