LatinNews Daily - 03 August 2017

Chile: The national congress has approved a legislative bill that decriminalises abortion under three specific circumstances - if the foetus’s life is at risk, if the mother’s life is at risk, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape. The initiative has long been promoted by the centre-left ruling Nueva Mayoría coalition government led by President Michelle Bachelet but staunchly resisted by the main centre-right opposition Chile Vamos coalition. But after an intense debate the bill was given final approval after receiving 70 votes in favour and 45 against in the 120-seat chamber of deputies. It was then rushed through the 38-seat senate, where it received 22 votes in favour and 13 against. However, Chile Vamos legislators have already presented a legal challenge against the bill before the constitutional court (TC) on the grounds that the bill goes counter to the constitutional provisions that “protect life”.    

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