Portuguese Parliament approves referendum on loosening abortion restrictions

The Portuguese Parliament on Thursday approved a government proposal to hold a national referendum early next year aimed at loosening abortion restrictions in the country, AFP/Yahoo! News reports (AFP/Yahoo! News, 10/19).

Abortion is illegal in Portugal except when necessary to protect the life or health of a woman or if a woman becomes pregnant as a result of rape (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 7/6).

If approved, the referendum would implement legislation that would legalize abortions up to 10 weeks' gestation.

The referendum was supported by the governing Socialist Party, the Social Democrats and the Left Bloc.

The Green and Communist parties opposed the referendum, while the Christian Democratic Party abstained from voting.

The referendum is expected to be scheduled for January, but it must be approved by the Constitutional Court and President Anibal Cavaco Silva before a date is set (Mateus, AP/Baltimore Sun, 10/19).

If the referendum is approved, voters will be asked: "Do you agree with the decriminalization of the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, in the first 10 weeks, in a legally authorized health establishment?"

According to lawmaker Pedro Mota Soares, the Christian Democrats will be the only party advocating against the legalization of abortion (Bugge, Reuters, 10/19).

Prime Minister Jose Socrates said the Socialist party will actively campaign in favor of changing the abortion laws if the referendum is held (AFP/Yahoo! News, 10/19).

Officials say that about 10,000 women annually in Portugal are treated at hospitals for complications caused by illegal abortions (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 7/6).