Ireland votes in abortion referendum

IRISH voters are preparing to go to the polls in a tense referendum that could legalise abortion, as the opposing sides use the final hours to win a debate that has divided the country.

Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s prime minister, has started the final push in his campaign to repeal the country’s abortion ban, with guarded optimism in his government that voters will support his stance. Friday’s referendum is the first big electoral test for the prime minister since taking office almost a year ago. Campaigners on both sides foresee a close result but Mr Varadkar’s supporters believe there is enough momentum to carry the day in urban areas where support is greatest for repeal.

The Financial Times reports that Ireland has had a ban on abortions since 1983, enshrined in the eighth amendment to the constitution. The campaign to repeal the ban is supported by the leaders of all parties in the Irish parliament but the issue remains one of the most divisive in national politics. Mícheál Martin, leader of the opposition Fianna Fáil party, has backed repeal but more than half of his parliamentary party want to retain the ban. Those opposing repeal include Mr Martin’s newly installed deputy leader and his finance spokesman.