LISBON, Portugal (AP) – Portugal’s president has vetoed bills recently passed by Parliament that granted full adoption rights to same-sex couples and removed abortion restrictions.
President Anibal Cavaco Silva says the legislation granting gay couples the same adoption rights as heterosexuals is a radical change that requires broader public consultation. He says Parliament has failed to demonstrate it is in the best interest of children.
The head of state is also blocking Parliament’s decision to waive mandatory counselling for women seeking an abortion. He says such counselling is a common requirement in other European countries and eliminating it would diminish the right to information.
The presidential vetoes announced Jan. 25 can be overturned by a two-thirds majority in Parliament. It was not immediately clear whether the bills’ backers could muster that many votes.
