Portugal votes on legalising abortion

LISBON, Feb 11 (Reuters) Portuguese voters were today deciding whether to legalise abortion in a referendum which could bring the overwhelmingly Catholic country closer into line with most other European states.

Opinion polls showed a majority of voters support making abortion legal in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. But rain swept the country as voting began, raising the possibility of a low turnout which could make the ballot invalid.

''The 'Yes' is surely going to win, I have no doubts about that,'' said Rui Oliveira Costa, a pollster from Eurosondagem.

But voting was slow this morning. If the turnout is lower than 50 per cent, the vote will be invalidated, as was case in a similar referendum in 1998 when only 32 percent of the electorate turned out.

''Whether voter turnout will be above 50 per cent depends on some factors, namely meteorology,'' Costa said.

Voting in the Iberian country of 10 million people was due to end at 0030 hrs IST.

Portugal is among a small group of European countries, including Ireland and Poland, which still ban abortions. It allows pregnancies to be terminated only in cases of rape, a deformed foetus or if the woman's health is at risk.

Women who are caught performing abortions can go to jail for up to three years although most trials have ended in suspended sentences or acquittals.

TRADITION OR CHANGE? Traditional Catholics fear their values will be undermined if abortion becomes legal. Liberals, led by the urban young, hope Portugal will end an abortion ban which they see as antiquated.

The ''Yes'' campaign to legalise abortion has focused on an estimated 23,000 clandestine abortions every year, which Socialist Prime Minister Jose Socrates has called ''Portugal's most shameful wound''.

Supporters say legalising abortion would end back-street abortions and allow women proper treatment.

Catholic leaders have voiced concerns that a legalisation of abortion could roll back other traditional values in Portugal, which is western Europe's poorest country.

Those campaigning against the referendum have said a vote in favour of lifting the ban will increase the number of abortions, raise state health costs and give momentum to easing other laws such as gay marriage.

Voters are answering the question: ''Do you agree with the decriminalisation of the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, in the first 10 weeks, in a legally authorised health establishment?'' ''O Virgin Mary, mother of God, do not allow these people that have always been faithful to forget you at this time,'' a Catholic priest prayed on Saturday before almost 1,000 people at a Mass in Lisbon's huge Jeronimo's monastery church.

But on the other side of town, along the narrow, bar-filled streets of Lisbon's trendy Bairro Alto neighbourhood, Fernanda Ribeiro, 30, was confident. ''I'm sure we will win,'' she said, drinking beer outside a bar.

REUTERS SY BD1613