San Marino abortion debate heats up ahead of historic referendum

Members of the "Yes" campaign to legalise abortion in San Marino hand out leaflets ahead of the September 26th referendum in San Marino, one of the smallest countries in Europe, September 15, 2021. Picture taken September 15, 2021. REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

SAN MARINO (Reuters) - One of Europe's staunchest opponents to legal abortion could fall on Sunday when San Marino, a tiny and deeply Catholic republic landlocked in Italy, holds a referendum to overturn a law dating back to 1865.

A "Yes" vote will bring some relief for pro-choice supporters further afield who have been dismayed as authorities in countries like Poland and in the U.S. state of Texas have tightened laws.