Ireland’s Historic Decision To Hold An Abortion Referendum Is Making Headlines Around The World

Last night, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that a referendum on abortion will take place before the end of May this year.

The wording of the referendum will seek to replace the Eighth Amendment with a new constitutional provision that allows the government to legislate for abortion. 

Not only is the news dominating headlines here at home, it’s also making waves across the globe with a number of high-profile news outlets covering the story this morning. 

The New York Times states that the referendum will ‘test how far attitudes have shifted in a country that was once a bastion of Roman Catholic conservatism.’

In France, Le Monde says ‘it is a particularly divisive subject that Irish voters will be brought to a decision at the end of May.’

Meanwhile, German newspaper Bild opens with ‘pregnant women have the option of having abortions abroad – which is why thousands of Irish women travel to England every year.’

A referendum bill will be drafted over the coming weeks.

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