CNN —The Irish government conceded on Saturday that it had lost two referenda to change what it called “sexist” language in the constitution in an embarrassing defeat.
Ireland went to the polls on Friday in votes deliberately timed to coincide with International Women’s Day to replace two constitutional references.
Varadkar had championed the vote as a chance to change “very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women”, according to Reuters.
Ireland has held referendums on a number of social issues in recent years, with voters repeatedly supporting progressive changes to the country’s constitution.
Three years later, they cast ballots to end an abortion ban, and in 2019, divorce laws were liberalized after another referendum.
Persons:
“, Leo Varadkar, ” Varadkar, Varadkar, ”, Maria Steen, Micheál Martin
Organizations:
CNN, Irish, Ireland, ”, Reuters, PA Media, RTE
Locations:
Dublin, Ireland