Abortion referendum: the political winners and losers

Abortion referendum: the political winners and losers
Varadkar, Martin and McDonald strengthen their position while conservatives miss out

May 26, 2018
Fiach Kelly Deputy Political Editor

The referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution is set to be passed by a margin even greater than the most enthusiastic advocates for repeal could have imagined.

The campaign to repeal was led by civic society groups, principally Together for Yes, but there are still political winners and losers from an extraordinary campaign.We chart who they are below.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/abortion-referendum-the-political-winners-and-losers-1.3509893


Ireland – Fine Gael succeeds by keeping distance between economy and abortion

Fine Gael succeeds by keeping distance between economy and abortion
Fianna Fáil’s conservative stance on referendum question risks alienating younger voters

April 19, 2018
Damian Loscher

Today’s Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll reveals a drop in support for Fine Gael. After retreating two points in January from a high of 36 per cent in December, Fine Gael has slipped a further three points to land on 31 per cent in this poll.

For Fianna Fáil, its poll rating is moving in the right direction, albeit with a marginal gain of just one point. With 26 per cent support, it has reduced the gap and is now just five points behind Fine Gael.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/fine-gael-succeeds-by-keeping-distance-between-economy-and-abortion-1.3465985


Ireland: Differences on abortion expose deep divisions in Sinn Féin

Differences on abortion expose deep divisions in Sinn Féin
Urban-rural divide among party members crystallises in relation to eighth amendment

Sat, Oct 21, 2017
Harry McGee

Thousands of people took part in the March for Choice in Dublin in September, a protest that was filled with banners of all types, but mostly from parties of the declared left.

Solidarity and People Before Profit were prominent. So, too, were the Labour Party, the Greens and the Social Democrats. However, the complete absence of leading Sinn Féin personalities, or, indeed, the party’s banners was striking.

Continued at source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/differences-on-abortion-expose-deep-divisions-in-sinn-f%C3%A9in-1.3263362


New Zealand: Political Roundup: The uncomfortable abortion reform challenge

Political Roundup: The uncomfortable abortion reform challenge
Friday Mar 17, 2017
Bryce Edwards on politics

The radical return of the abortion issue is an opportunity and challenge for politicians. Will they rise to the occasion?

Politicians are finally having to face up to the unresolved abortion question. As yesterday's column pointed out - Should abortion be decriminalised? - the law around abortion is suddenly back on the agenda, following decades of a kind of uncomfortable truce. This was based on an unofficial compromise in which the legal framework for abortion has been very restrictive in law, but relatively liberal in practice.

Most politicians are able to live with compromises, even if they can result in rather messy and farcical situations. But it now appears that the abortion compromise might be falling apart. This will be very uncomfortable for many politicians. Even those who are personally comfortable with more liberal abortion laws will be aware of the potential can of worms that is opened by a renewed debate and investigation into abortion laws. And other politicians will also see the opportunity that such a debate might afford for their own electoral advantage.

Continued at source: New Zealand Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11820489