Ireland’s abortion referendum is finally happening – but the campaign will be ugly
The anti-abortion side has hired a digital campaigns company that previously worked for Donald Trump.
By Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin
30 January 2018
This summer, after 35 years, Ireland will finally hold a “yes-no” vote on repealing the eighth amendment to its constitution, which prohibits abortion in almost all circumstances.
That the referendum is happening at all is a huge victory for feminist campaigners, who have spent decades battling cowardice and apathy on the part of government. What’s more, the campaign to repeal will have the support of both Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin – the leaders of Ireland’s infamously conservative major parties – and of the entire cabinet. Even five years ago, this situation would have seemed impossible.