Montevideo, Uruguay, Nov 28, 2007 / 13:04 pm
President Tabare Vazquez of Uruguay has reiterated his stance against legal abortion and said he would veto a new law legalizing the practice in the country.
Three weeks after the Senate approved a measure legalizing abortion, Vasquez said, “The Law on Sexual and Reproductive Health has very positive elements that should be salvaged, but there are others that I do not agree with from a philosophical and biological perspective and therefore they will be vetoed.”
According to president’s official website, Vasquez made his statements during a speech entitled “People to People,” which he intended to inform Uruguayans about the achievements and plans of his administration.
The new norm, which needs to be passed still by the House of Representatives, allows abortion during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy in cases of economic or family hardship, because of one’s age or health, or in cases of fetal deformation or to save the life of the mother.
Analysts expect the House to pass the measure, and therefore only a presidential veto would prevent it from becoming law.
The latest polls show that public opinion is very divided on the issue of abortion.