Bratislava, 23 July 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Slovak President Rudolf Schuster has vetoed an amendment to the law on abortion that fueled a dispute between ruling liberals and conservatives. Slovakia's official news agency, TASR, reported today that Schuster sent the bill back to parliament. The bill would allow abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy in cases of genetic defects.
The ruling coalition's most liberal member, the Alliance of a New Citizen (ANO), pushed the bill through parliament earlier this month over the strong opposition of the their Christian Democrat partners in the coalition.
The Christian Democrats threatened to try to eject ANO from the coalition if the bill became law.
Parliament is expected to debate the bill again in September.
The ruling coalition's most liberal member, the Alliance of a New Citizen (ANO), pushed the bill through parliament earlier this month over the strong opposition of the their Christian Democrat partners in the coalition.
The Christian Democrats threatened to try to eject ANO from the coalition if the bill became law.
Parliament is expected to debate the bill again in September.