Montevideo, Uruguay, Oct 25, 2007 / 10:26 am (CNA).- A new attempt by lawmakers in Uruguay to put abortion up for vote in the Senate was thwarted this week when one Senator revealed the plan on a local television program.

On October 17, the Senate in Uruguay voted against legalizing abortion and removed it from a bill on sexual and reproductive health.  Nevertheless, local media reported that after adjourning debate on the bill until next week, abortion supporters planned a new “surprise” vote on abortion on the same day debate would resume.

A report on the Indice 810 television channel revealed that the strategy was to hold the vote when Senator Julio Maria Sanguinetti, who is pro-abortion and who missed the last vote on the issue, would be present in the chamber, and to take advantage of the absence of Senator Carlos Baraibar, who is pro-life and who will not be in town on the day the debate resumes.

On October 17 the bill legalizing abortion failed to pass as the vote was a tie of 15-15.  Only a simple majority was needed to get the measure approved, and abortion supporters hoped that the surprise vote would ensure passage.

Nevertheless, sources said the strategy to bring the measure up for vote again would not be successful in light of the television report. 

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