Abortion Law Is Suddenly a Pivotal Issue in Italyâs Elections
306615
The controversy over Italyâs 30-year-old law legalizing abortion stirred up demonstrations this week in its defense.
375362
Experts say the 2004 election is fast becoming, in its final weeks, the most litigious, lawyer-fraught vote in history.
160190
A referendum on loosening restrictive abortion laws has pitted the Socialist government against Roman Catholics.
604248
Australia was plunged into a fresh row over its abortion laws, after the new leader of the Labor opposition backed a pro-life coalition for the first time.
133559
Italy's president dissolved parliament on Wednesday and the caretaker government prepared to call a snap election, likely in mid-April, that could mark a return to power of media magnate Silvio Berlusconi.
226987
Romano Prodi's center-left government has a new lease on life. But if the past nine months are any indication, his allies will not make it easy for him.Comment
442778
A published account of Italyâs malaise has become Topic A in a country that cares a lot about how it is seen abroad.
93375
VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican is becoming increasingly alarmed at what it regards as official anti-Roman Catholic sentiment and secular trends in Europe, as government after government approves measures on abortion, family law, and scientific study that run counter to Catholic teaching.
760294
The move immediately created a new quandary for the government about whether to delay the Jan. 8 parliamentary election.
186633
Italy's opposition leader Silvio Berlusconi demands elections, jeopardising efforts to form an interim government.
334917
The Italian government on Wednesday sped up parliamentary approval of a law that could overturn the corruption convictions of a close friend of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, sparking fury among opposition politicians.
257516
As a result of November's election, the next Senate will have a bigger, more conservative Republican majority and several new opponents of abortion.
586046
LISBON - Catholic Portugal's decision to join most European countries and allow abortions has shaken the country's conservative establishment but was hailed by liberals as a victory for ...Comment
633924
"I think Italy does not need any government of national unity but a government that will get down to work immediately after Italians vote"  By Philip PullellaROME  - Italy's government crisis enters a decisive week with a snap election and a return to power of Silvio Berlusconi's centre right looking ever more likely.President Giorgio Napolitano granted himself a day of reflection on Sunday, planning to resume consultations with political leaders on Monday and end them on Tuesday evening.Napolitano, an 82-year-old former communist, must decide whether to dissolve parliament and call an election for the spring or mandate someone to first try to form an interim government to enact electoral reforms. Read more
209928
The decision by a Milan court to clear Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of a raft of corruption charges marks the end of a decade-long legal battle and perhaps the beginning of a more peaceful era for Italian politics.
423456
Catholic Portugal's decision to join most European countries and allow abortions has shaken the country's conservative establishment but was hailed by liberals as a victory for modernity.
688716
"I think this risks being a missed opportunity for Italian politics, rushing towards elections with a flawed law"  By Silvia Aloisi and Robin PomeroyROME  - Italy's Senate speaker gave up trying to form a temporary government on Monday, making a snap election the only likely way out of a political vacuum left when Romano Prodi resigned as prime minister last month.Senate speaker Franco Marini, who had been asked by the president to seek cross-party backing for an interim administration to reform the electoral system ahead of a vote, said there was no such support."I could not find a significant majority on a precise electoral reform," Marini told reporters as he left President Giorgio Napolitano's office after handing back his mandate to try to form a new government. Read more