Portugal Pledges to Legalize Abortion

Although a clear majority in Portugal's referendum voted to legalize abortion in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, fewer than half the electorate voted, meaning the result is not legally binding.

Almost 60 percent of voters approved the referendum allowing women to opt for abortions, while slightly more than 40 percent opposed it. Under Portuguese law, however, more than 50 percent of the country's 8.9 million registered voters must participate in a referendum to make the ballot valid. The turnout yesterday was 44 percent.