Reuters: Portugal abortion vote likely invalid

[Eugene]

Portugal abortion vote likely invalid

By Axel Bugge

13 minutes ago

LISBON (Reuters) - A referendum on legalizing abortion in Portugal looked likely
to fail on Sunday because of low voter turnout, but those in favor of ending an
abortion ban won the vote, exit polls and the first results showed.

The outcome led both sides of the campaign to claim victory. It means some
of the strictest anti-abortion laws in Europe remain in place but 'yes' campaigners
celebrated what they saw as a victory for their drive to end a ban which can
send women to jail if they abort.

RTP television channel and the Catholic University showed in an exit poll at least
56 percent of voters failed to turn out. Of those that voted, at least 57 percent
voted to lift the abortion ban in the traditionally Catholic country and 43 percent
voted to maintain the ban.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070211/wl_nm/portugal_abortion_dc_7

(BBC News)

Last Updated: Sunday, 11 February 2007, 20:00 GMT

Portuguese 'back abortion reform'

Portugal has voted to relax the country's strict laws on abortion, but the turnout was
too low to make the vote binding, an exit poll shows.

A government proposal to give all women the right to an abortion up to the 10th week
of pregnancy won the support of 57-61% of voters, the poll suggests.

Turnout was about 40%, far less than the 50% needed to make the result legally binding.

But the Socialist government has said it will act on the result regardless.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6350651.stm

[Eugene]

1. Update at BBC link: Portugal 'to legalise abortion'

Last Updated: Sunday, 11 February 2007, 21:51 GMT

Portugal 'to legalise abortion'

Prime Minister Jose Socrates has said abortion will be legalised in Portugal
despite the turnout for a referendum being too low to be legally binding.

Turnout was about 40%, far less that the 50% required, but of those who did
vote, 57-61% backed a proposed change to the current law, exit polls suggest.

-snip-

"The law will now be discussed and approved in parliament," Mr Socrates said.
"Our interest is to fight clandestine abortion and we have to produce a law
that respects the result of the referendum."

"The people spoke with a clear voice," he added.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6350651.stm