The Irish government has confirmed 25 May as the date for a referendum on repealing its near-total ban on
abortion. If citizens so decide, they will overturn one of Europe's most restrictive abortion policies. Only Malta and Poland, where abortion remains illegal in nearly all circumstances, would remain holdouts. Currently in Ireland, abortion is banned in most circumstances under the 8th Amendment of Ireland’s Constitution. The proposed new law would allow women
to seek abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.