Portuguese ruling Socialists propose referendum legalizing abortion

[sonicx]

LISBON (AFP) - The ruling Socialist party in Portugal has proposed holding a referendum on whether to decriminalize abortion in the staunchly Catholic country, where a similar measure narrowly failed seven years ago.

The proposal, introduced late Tuesday in parliament, was accompanied by a bill that would allow abortions to take place up to 10 weeks of pregnancy -- as opposed to the severe restrictions currently in place.

The new Socialist government under Prime Minister Jose Socrates had made abortion an issue in last month's election campaign, with Socrates promising a referendum for 2006.

snip

Polls have shown a strong majority of Portuguese -- where more than 92 percent of the population is Roman Catholic -- are in favor of loosening the nation's abortion laws, which are among the strictest in Europe.

The number of back-alley abortions annually in Portugal is estimated at between about 20,000 and 40,000, while thousands more go abroad to terminate unwanted pregnancies.

more = http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=1413&e=2&u=/afp/20050323/hl_afp/portugalhealthabortionpolitics&sid=96001005

[arcos]

1. Excellent! nt

[Voltaire99]

2. Oh, for some Portugese socialists to replace our centrist dullards.

Bravo, Portugal.