San Marino rebuffs same sex marriage, abortion proposals

(ANSA)- San Marino, September 19 - The tiny state of San Marino's Grand and General Council has rebuffed proposals for decriminalising abortion and recognising same sex marriage celebrated abroad.
    The Council rejected on Thursday and Friday a formal request by citizens to the Captains Regent, effectively the country's heads of state, urging that abortion no longer be a crime and demanding the recognition of gay 'marriages' celebrated abroad.
    The council nevertheless agreed to consider aspects of the questions again, though 27 members voted against legalising abortion compared with 23 voting in favour, while two abstained and one MP did not vote.
    By a slightly larger majority the Council decided to verify within three months "eventual modifications to the criminal code, to define as the non prosecutability of those who decide to abort in the countries where it is allowed". Abortion would remain a crime in San Marino under this proposal, however.
    A larger still majority rejected by 35 votes against to 15 votes in favour the proposal for recognition of same sex weddings held abroad.