Any news on the abortion vote in Portugal?

[Hamlette]

If not, any one know when we might know?

[Sydnie]

1. Saw this report in LBN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2726743&mesg_id=2726743

[jonnyblitz]

2. here is some news from my google homepage

Abortion in Portugal to be legalised

* By Axel Bugge in Lisbon
* February 12, 2007

PORTUGAL'S ruling Socialists will use their majority in parliament to legalise abortion after today's referendum on the issue failed because turnout was too low to make it binding.
More than half of the traditionally Catholic nation's 8.7 million electorate abstained. Of those who voted, 59.3 per cent voted to lift the abortion ban and 40.8 per cent to keep it.


the rest:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21210725-1702,00.html

[papau]

3. vote was to legalize abortion - but too few voted so it does not count

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.

"The 'yes' won," Maria Jose Alves, a doctor who heads one of the pro-abortion groups, told applauding crowds. "This result is an unequivocal sign for parliament to legislate according to the will of the Portuguese."

If the turnout is below 50 percent the vote will be invalid, as was the case in a similar referendum in 1998 when only 32 percent of the electorate voted.

On Sunday rain in most parts of the country was thought to have discouraged polling.

[Hamlette]

4. thanks all n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Check the BBC -- PM says he will legalize anyway. (link)

Portugal will 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, 59.3% backed a proposed change to the current law.

The proposal allows all women abortion until the 10th week of pregnancy.

Currently abortions are only allowed in cases of rape, a health threat to the mother or serious foetal abnormality.

"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."
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6350651.stm