Portugal Set to Legalise Abortion Despite ‘Void’ Referendum

Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates has outraged pro-life supporters by saying that he will legalise abortion in the country, despite the weekend’s referendum having a turnout too low to be legally binding.

Sunday saw Portugal go to the polls to vote on whether to legalise abortion. For the vote to be legally binding at least 50 per cent plus one of the country’s registered voters must take part. The turnout of Sunday's referendum fell short at just 40 per cent.

Nevertheless, Socrates declared that he will change the law as 59.3 per cent of those that voted had backed a change in the law. Read more