Slovakia’s parliament has narrowly rejected proposed legislation that would have given the unborn more protection.

The bill was rejected by one vote, as 67 of the 134 lawmakers present in the 150-seat house voted in favour of it. A similar proposal to restrict abortion was rejected a year ago, also by one vote.

The bill was submitted by representatives from ‘Ordinary People’, the senior party in the coalition government led by Prime Minister Eduard Heger.

Among its key provisions, the mandatory waiting period before women have access to abortion at their request would have been extended from 48 to 96 hours.

Women would also have had to give their reasons for having an abortion.

The new legislation would also have banned abortion advertising, and services linked to it.

Currently, abortion is legal in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy; and after that for certain ‘medical reasons’.