2007 Portuguese abortion referendum
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{infobox referendum
|title=Are you in agreement with the decriminalization of the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, if carried out, by the woman's choice, in the first ten weeks in a legally authorized health institution?
|date=11 February 2007
|country=Portugal
|yes=2231529
|no=1534669
|invalid=73978
|electorate=8814016
|map = {{switcher|220px|District Results|220px|Municipality Results|default = 1}}
|map_size =250px
|map_caption = Results
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
Yes
{{Legend|#B6C8D9|50%-60%}}
{{Legend|#7D9CBB|60%-70%}}
{{Legend|#47729E|70%-80%}}
{{Legend|#28497C|80%-90%}}
{{Legend|#2B2457|>90%}}
{{col-2}}
No
{{Legend|#DEDEBD|50%-60%}}
{{Legend|#BCBC83|60%-70%}}
{{Legend|#8B8B54|70%-80%}}
{{Legend|#5D5D2D|80%-90%}}
{{col-end}}
}}
An abortion referendum took place in Portugal on 11 February 2007, to decide whether to legalise abortion up to ten weeks. The referendum was the fulfillment of an election pledge by the governing Socialist Party of Prime Minister José Sócrates."[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6350651.stm Portugal will legalise abortion]." (12 February 2007). BBC News. Retrieved 12 February 2007.
Official results of the referendum showed that 59.24 percent of the Portuguese approved the proposal put on ballot, while 40.76 percent rejected it. However, only 43.61 percent of the registered voters turned out to vote. Since voter turnout was below 50 percent, according to the Portuguese Constitution, these results are not legally binding, and parliament can legally decide to disregard them. Prime Minister Sócrates nevertheless confirmed that he would expand the circumstances under which abortion was allowed, since a majority of voters had been in favour.
The law was ratified by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva on 10 April 2007.{{Cite news |date=2007-04-10 |title=Portugal ratifies law allowing abortions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/apr/10/1 |access-date=2024-04-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
Background
In 1998, the legalization of abortion had also been put to a referendum. However, a small majority voted NO, 51 to 49 percent, and abortion legalization was not implemented.
Question
The question in the referendum was:
{{blockquote|"Are you in agreement with the decriminalization of the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, if carried out, by the woman's choice, in the first ten weeks in a legally authorized health institution?""[http://www.totalcatholic.com/universe/index.php?news_id=1990&start=0&category_id=&parent_id=0&arcyear=&arcmonth= Portugal Plans Abortion Referendum]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." (11 December 2006). TotalCatholic.com. Retrieved 4 January 2006.}}
{{blockquote|"Concorda com a despenalização da interrupção voluntária da gravidez, se realizada, por opção da mulher, nas 10 primeiras semanas, em estabelecimento de saúde legalmente autorizado?"[https://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/acordaos/20060617.html]}}
Under the previous law, abortions were allowed up 12 weeks if the mother's life or mental or physical health is at risk, up to 16 weeks in cases of rape and up to 24 weeks if the child may be born with an incurable disease or deformity. The new law, approved on 9 March 2007, allows abortions on request up to the tenth week."[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6434475.stm Portuguese MPs vote for abortion]." (9 March 2007). BBC News. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
Political positions
The major parties in Portugal listed with their political positioning and their official answer to the referendum question:
- Left
- Portuguese Communist Party – YES
- Left Bloc – YES
- Ecologist Party "The Greens" – YES
- Socialist Party – YES
- Right
- Social Democratic Party – NEUTRAL (the party was divided, however, important members, including the then leader, Luís Marques Mendes, said NO)
- People's Party – NO
Campaign period
=Choices slogans=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%; text-align:left;" |
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="2"| Choice
! Original slogan ! English translation ! Refs |
|---|
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:#45739f"|
| Yes | « O voto responsável, Sim. » | "Yes, the responsible vote" | {{Cite web |title=Termina hoje campanha para o referendo ao aborto |url=https://tvi.iol.pt/noticias/geral/09-02-2007/termina-hoje-campanha-para-o-referendo-ao-aborto |date=9 February 2007 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work= TVI |language=pt}}{{Cite web |title=IVG 10 depois do referendo: o que mudou e o que falta fazer |url=https://plataformamulheres.org.pt/ivg-10-anos-depois-do-referendo-o-que-mudou-e-o-que-falta-fazer/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work= Plataforma Mulheres |language=pt}} |
| style="color:inherit;background:#8c8c53"|
| No | « Não, Obrigada. » | "No, Thank you" |
Opinion polling
A December 2006 Aximage/Correio da Manhã poll had found that 61 percent of Portugal's electorate supported the proposal, 26 percent did not, and 12 percent were "not sure"."{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070110191726/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/14336 Portuguese Would Decriminalize Abortion]}}." (9 January 2007). Angus Reid Global Monitor. Retrieved 10 January 2006. An earlier survey from October 2006 had yielded similar results."[http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13655 Portuguese Would Vote to Legalize Abortion]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." (
2 November 2006). Angus Reid Global Monitor. Retrieved 11 January 2006. However, a poll from mid-January 2007 had seen support drop to 38 to 28 percent in favour."{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20080206101555/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/14550 Support Plummets for Portugal's Abortion Change]}}." (29 January 2007). Angus Reid Global Monitor. Retrieved 12 February 2007.
{{legend2|#EAFFEA|Exit poll|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%; line-height:16px;" |
| style="height:42px;"
! style="width:100px;" rowspan="3"| Last day polling ! style="width:150px;" rowspan="3"| Poll source ! style="width:45px;" rowspan="3" | Sample size ! colspan="4"|Direct Intention of Vote ! colspan="3"|Valid Vote |
| Yes
! No ! style="width:70px;" rowspan="2"| Undecided ! style="width:35px;" rowspan="2"| Lead ! Yes ! No ! style="width:35px;" rowspan="2"| Lead |
|---|
| style="color:inherit;background:#45739f; width:70px;"|
! style="color:inherit;background:#8c8c53; width:70px;"| ! style="color:inherit;background:#45739f; width:70px;"| ! style="color:inherit;background:#8c8c53; width:70px;"| |
| colspan="10" style="background:#A0A0A0"| |
| style="background:#EFEFEF"
| align="center" | 11 Feb | align="center" | Referendum results | align="center" | 43.6% | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | align="center" style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 59.3 | align="center" | 40.7 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 18.6 |
| colspan="10" style="background:#A0A0A0"| |
| style="background:#EAFFEA"
| align="center" | 11 Feb | align="center" | [https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/resultados-finais-dentro-dos-valores-das-projeccoes_n40344 Universidade Católica] | align="center" | | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | align="center" style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 57.0–61.0 | align="center" | 39.0–43.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 18.0 |
| style="background:#EAFFEA"
| align="center" | 11 Feb | align="center" | [https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/resultados-finais-dentro-dos-valores-das-projeccoes_n40344 Eurosondagem] | align="center" | | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | align="center" style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 58.0–61.8 | align="center" | 38.2–42.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 19.8 |
| style="background:#EAFFEA"
| align="center" | 11 Feb | align="center" | [https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/resultados-finais-dentro-dos-valores-das-projeccoes_n40344 INTERCAMPUS] | align="center" | | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | {{N/A}} | align="center" style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 57.6–62.6 | align="center" | 37.4–42.4 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 20.2 |
| 7 Feb
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Aximage] | 801 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 52.6 | 41.5 | 5.9 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 11.1 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 56.0 | 44.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 12.0 |
| 5 Feb
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Eurosondagem] | 2,059 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 46.5 | 41.0 | 12.5 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 6.2 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 53.1 | 46.9 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 5.5 |
| 5 Feb
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ TNS Eurotest] | 1,000 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 52.8 | 37.1 | 10.1 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 15.7 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 59.0 | 41.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 18.0 |
| 4 Feb
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Universidade Católica] | 3,806 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 49.0 | 34.0 | 17.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 15.0 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 58.0 | 42.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 16.0 |
| 2 Feb
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Aximage] | 601 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 51.3 | 43.7 | 5.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 7.6 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 54.0 | 46.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 8.0 |
| 24 Jan
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ IPOM] | 697 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 45.6 | 37.2 | 17.2 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 8.4 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 55.0 | 45.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 10.0 |
| 22 Jan
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Universidade Católica] | 1,257 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 48.0 | 35.0 | 17.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 13.0 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 59.0 | 41.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 18.0 |
| 19 Jan
| [http://www.marktest.com/wap/a/n/id~cf8.aspx Marktest] | 821 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 54.0 | 33.4 | 12.6 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 20.6 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 61.8 | 38.2 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 23.6 |
| 18 Jan
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Aximage] | 500 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 55.6 | 29.8 | 14.6 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 25.8 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 65.0 | 35.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 30.0 |
| 16 Jan
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Eurosondagem] | 2,569 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 43.0 | 36.0 | 22.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 7.0 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 52.5 | 47.5 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 5.0 |
| 9 Jan
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Aximage] | 550 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 57.0 | 34.8 | 8.1 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 22.2 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 62.0 | 38.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 24.0 |
| 9 Jan
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ INTERCAMPUS] | 1,525 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 60.0 | 29.0 | 11.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 31.0 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 67.0 | 33.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 34.0 |
| colspan="10" style="background:#D0D0D0; color:black" | 2007 |
| 20 Dec
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Aximage] | 502 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 61.0 | 26.7 | 12.3 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 34.3 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 70.0 | 30.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 40.0 |
| 7 Dec
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Aximage] | 550 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 64.1 | 27.3 | 8.6 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 36.8 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 70.0 | 30.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 40.0 |
| 15 Nov
| [http://www.marktest.com/wap/a/n/id~c9b.aspx Marktest] | 808 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 61.2 | 30.0 | 8.8 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 31.2 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 67.1 | 32.9 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 34.2 |
| 24 Oct
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ INTERCAMPUS] | 514 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 66.9 | 27.6 | 5.4 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 39.3 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 71.0 | 29.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 42.0 |
| 21 Oct
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Marktest] | 809 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 63.0 | 27.0 | 10.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 36.0 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 70.0 | 30.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 40.0 |
| 17 Oct
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Eurosondagem] | 1,033 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 46.0 | 39.0 | 16.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 7.0 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 51.7 | 48.3 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 3.4 |
| 15 Oct
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Universidade Católica] | 1,282 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 63.0 | 25.0 | 12.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 38.0 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 72.0 | 28.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 44.0 |
| 4 Oct
| [http://www.pedro-magalhaes.org/as-ultimas-sondagens-2/ Aximage] | 550 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 47.9 | 39.9 | 12.2 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 8.0 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;"| 55.0 | 45.0 | style="background:#45739f; color:#fff;"| 10.0 |
| colspan="10" style="background:#D0D0D0; color:#000;" | 2006 |
Results
{{Referendum
| title = Portuguese abortion referendum, 2007
| yes = 2,231,529
| yespct = 59.25
| no = 1,534,669
| nopct = 40.75
| valid = 3,766,198
| validpct = 98.07
| invalid = 73,978
| invalidpct = 1.93
| total = 3,840,176
| turnoutpct = 43.57
| electorate = 8,814,016
| colspan="3"|source = [https://www.cne.pt/sites/default/files/dl/resultados_rn_1_2007.pdf Comissão Nacional de Eleições]
}}
{{Referendum bar
| title = Referendum
| text1 = Yes
| vote1 = 2,231,529
| background1 = #45739f
| textcolor1 = #fff
| text2 = No
| vote2 = 1,534,669
| background2 = #8c8c53
| textcolor2 = #fff
}}
=Results by district=
File:Portuguese abortion referendum, 2007.png
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;" |
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | District
! colspan="2" | Yes ! colspan="2" | No ! rowspan="2" | Turnout |
|---|
| Votes
! % ! Votes ! % |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Aveiro | 110,644 | 44.62% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 137,312 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 55.38% | 42.29% |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Azores | 17,022 | 30.66% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 38,489 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 69.34% | 29.54% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Beja | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 45,028 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 83.90% | 8,641 | 16.10% | 39.82% |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Braga | 132,507 | 41.35% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 187,911 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 58.65% | 46.20% |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Bragança | 20,445 | 40.75% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 29,722 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 59.25% | 34.07% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Castelo Branco | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 45,976 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 61.65% | 28,601 | 38.35% | 40.15% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Coimbra | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 92,828 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 62.89% | 54,769 | 37.11% | 40.04% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Évora | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 48,274 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 78.38% | 13,312 | 21.62% | 43.00% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Faro | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 89,132 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 73.92% | 31,440 | 26.08% | 38.78% |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Guarda | 27,725 | 46.53% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 31,865 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 53.47% | 38.27% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Leiria | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 97,292 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 58.30% | 69,585 | 41.70% | 43.76% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Lisbon | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 607,419 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 71.47% | 242,467 | 28.53% | 48.67% |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Madeira | 30,209 | 34.60% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 57,091 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 65.40% | 38.89% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Portalegre | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 30,507 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 74.45% | 10,478 | 25.55% | 38.92% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Porto | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 350,868 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 54.36% | 294,599 | 45.64% | 44.86% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Santarém | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 109,051 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 65.11% | 58,434 | 34.89% | 44.16% |
| style="background:#acf;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Setúbal | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 259,684 | style="background:#acf; color:#000;" | 81.99% | 57,032 | 18.01% | 48.77% |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Viana do Castelo | 37,096 | 40.71% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 54,023 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 59.29% | 39.54% |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Vila Real | 28,871 | 38.09% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 46,921 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 61.91% | 34.28% |
| style="background:#fea;" |
| style="text-align:left;" | Viseu | 50,931 | 38.32% | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 81,977 | style="background:#fea; color:#000;" | 61.68% | 37.71% |
| class="sortbottom"
| colspan="7" style="text-align:left;" | Source: [https://www.cne.pt/sites/default/files/dl/resultados_rn_2007_por_distrito.pdf Comissão Nacional de Eleições] |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20091218234631/http://legislativas2009.mj.pt/ReferendoIVG2007/R0.html Results of the referendum]
{{Portuguese elections}}
Category:Referendums in Portugal