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Portugal parliament to vote on euthanasia decriminalisation Portugal parliament rejects euthanasia decriminalisation
(about 4 hours later)
Portugal's parliament is debating and will vote on whether to make euthanasia legal in the country. Portugal's parliament has rejected proposals to make euthanasia legal in the country.
The country's culture is traditionally Catholic and conservative, and the issue is dividing many in the country. In the 230-seat parliament, the bill received 110 votes in favour and 115 votes against. There were four abstentions.
The Portugal's centre-left Socialist government wants to make the practice legal, but with special conditions. The centre-left Socialist-led government wanted to make the practice legal, but with special conditions.
The result of the vote on the proposals is uncertain and is likely to be a close run affair. The country's culture is traditionally Catholic and conservative, and the issue has been extremely divisive.
The proposals pit left-leaning parties in the parliament against the Catholic Church and traditional authority. The proposals pitted left-leaning parties in parliament against the Catholic Church and traditional social order.
Protests have convened by anti-abortion groups in the country's capital, Lisbon. Portugal's government is a minority administration, with the Socialist Party backed by the Greens and far-left groups.
Portuguese journalist Filipe d'Avillez said the numbers at the protests had been increasing. One of the government's left-wing allies, the Communists, joined with the conservative CDS-PP to block the legislation.
Prior to the vote, protests were convened by anti-abortion groups in the country's capital, Lisbon.
The anti-abortion protesters - mostly from religious groups and schools - demonstrated in front of the parliament in Lisbon.
They chanted "Yes to life, no to euthanasia!" and waved placards saying "We demand palliative care for ALL" and "Euthanasia is a recipe for elder abuse".
Portuguese journalist Filipe d'Avillez said the numbers at the protests increased as the day went on.
Catarina Martins, the leader of the Left Bloc - which is a government ally in parliament, told the Reuters news agency that although the vote had failed "the issue is now firmly on the political agenda, it is now in detailed debate in society."
Patient-requested euthanasia is legal in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the EU.Patient-requested euthanasia is legal in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the EU.
Outside Europe, the practice is available in Canada, Colombia, and the Australian state of Victoria.Outside Europe, the practice is available in Canada, Colombia, and the Australian state of Victoria.
The country's parliament is divided on the issue, with four potential options being put before it, offering various options for euthanasia.
The proposals that have been put forward include a bill from the Left Bloc that would legalise the practice in "anticipation of death".
Plans put forward by the Green Party and the Party of Animals and Nature speak of "medically assisted" death and suicide.
Portugal's government is a minority administration, meaning that the centre-left Labour Party is backed-up by the Greens and far-left groups.
There has been some speculation that any bill passed by the parliament could be struck down by the country's conservative President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who is a practising Catholic.
But Socialist MP Pedro Delgado Alves told the AFP news agency that such talk was "premature" and that the result was "uncertain."
Earlier on this month, Mr Rebelo de Sousa vetoed a law that would have made it easier for people to change their gender and name in documents.