Switzerland voted in a referendum today to relax its strict abortion laws, bringing legislation in line with current practice and most other European countries.
Results from 25 out of 26 cantons, or provinces, indicated 72 per cent of voters were backing a proposal to allow abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy.
The results showed 81 per cent rejected a rival proposal to ban abortion completely. Final results were due in the evening.
Swiss law currently only allows pregnancy to be terminated if the mother's health is in danger. But no one has been prosecuted for undergoing or performing an abortion since 1988.
Government statistics estimate between 12,000 and 13,000 abortions are carried out every year.
Figures suggest one in nine pregnancies is currently terminated despite the risk of a prison sentence for the mother and doctor.
Justice Minister Ms Ruth Metzler told a news conference in the capital of Berne she had not expected the result to be so clear. She said the referendum showed there was a consensus that women who decide to have an abortion take a responsible decision and should not be criminalised.
The vote sparked a heated debate in the Alpine country between anti-abortion and pro-choice campaigners.
Across Switzerland, the image of a baby on all fours emblazoned giant billboards. "Mama, thank you for not putting a limit on life," ran the slogan on the anti-abortion poster.