LISBON, May 4, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Portugal’s president has put off a national referendum on abortion, delaying the date until 2006, because of fear that a June referendum – the only legally acceptable timing – would mean a low voter turnout due to summer holidays.
President Jorge Sampaio said Monday that because of constitutional restrictions on holding a referendum within a certain period before or after elections, the only acceptable time for the referendum would be next year. Portugal goes back to the polls this fall to elect municipal officials. Presidential elections are slated for spring. Sampaio is nearing the end of two five-year terms and is not eligible for re-election – pro-lifers are hoping for the election of a Social Democratic Party candidate who favours keeping abortion illegal.
The last referendum in 1998 retained a slim majority who favoured upholding the law, although voter turnout was poor – only 30 percent. In order for a referendum to be binding, there must be a minimum 50 percent voter turnout. A recent poll of 807 people conducted by Marktest claims support for the legalization of abortion is high – especially among the young – at 54 percent countrywide.
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Abortion Referendum in Portugal Approved by Socialist-Led Government
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