Portuguese abortion referendum, 2007

On February 11, 2007, a referendum was held in Portugal, in the Portuguese population could decide on the legalization of voluntary abortion. The holding of this referendum was a key election promise of the Portuguese Socialists under José Sócrates. ultimately decided with 59.24 percent, a clear majority of the population for the proposal by the Portuguese government.

Background

Since the nineties, a social discussion about dealing with voluntary, self-selected abortions took place in Portugal. Especially the conservative parties and in Portugal very dominant Catholic Church vehemently advocated the opinion that abortion would be a kind of murder and rejected this, in principle, from. On the other hand, the left-wing parties were of the opinion that the Portuguese law with other countries should catch up on this point and should allow for a self-selected abortion. By 2007, abortions were allowed if the life or mental health of the mother was endangered ( up to the 12th week), in the case of rape ( up to the 16th week), or if the child to be born or to have a deformation would suffer terminal illness ( up to the 24th week). In the case of an illegal abortion, the mother could be punished by up to three years in prison. In Europe, Portugal was at that time, together with Poland, Ireland and Malta, the countries with the strictest abortion laws in Europe.

As early as 1998 there was a referendum in which the Portuguese population could decide whether the self-selected abortion should be allowed until the tenth week. At that time, a slight majority ( 50.07 percent) decided against it. The topic was also discussed further, playing before the 2005 parliamentary elections also play a role. During the election campaign had José Sócrates, who later became Prime Minister, promised in the event of an election victory to repeat the referendum with the same question. This eventually took place on 11 February 2007.

Referendum

Question

" Concorda com a despenalização because interrupção voluntária because gravidez, se realizada, por opção because mulher, nas primeiras 10 semanas, em estabelecimento de saúde legalmente autorizado? "

" Do you agree with the decriminalization of abortion within the first ten weeks, if it takes place at the request of the mother and in a legally authorized health institution? "

While invariably uttered all left-wing parties in parliament (PS, PCP, PEV, BE) for it, especially the Catholic Church and the conservative right-wing CDS -PP opposed it. The largest opposition party, the PSD, however, was split and was officially no choice recommendation. Nevertheless, represented especially its then chairman, Luís Marques Mendes, the opposition and rejected the laws proposed by the government.

Result

Ultimately voted a large majority ( 59.25 percent ) of the population of the laws proposed by the government, only 40.75 percent of voters voted against. However, the turnout was due to the bad weather, only 43.57 per cent, ie It was attended by 3.84 million of 8.49 million eligible voters.

The win was also considered a confirmation of the then policy of the socialist government Sócrates, who ruled for the first time in its history, with an absolute majority. Although according to the Portuguese Constitution, the referendum was not legally binding because the turnout was below 50 percent, Prime Minister Sócrates decided to pass the bill.

The law took effect on 10 April 2007 with the signature of the President Aníbal Cavaco Silva in force.

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