Voters in Ireland have rejected two proposed changes to the country’s Constitution that would have removed language about women’s duties being in the home and broadened the definition of family beyond marriage.
The results, announced on Saturday, were an unexpected defeat for equality campaigners and for Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach, or prime minister.
Mr. Varadkar, speaking late Saturday afternoon after most of the votes had been counted, said that it was clear that the proposals had been defeated, and that the government respected the results.
“As head of government and on behalf of the government, we accept responsibility for the result,” he said.
“It was our responsibility to convince the majority of people to vote ‘Yes,’ and we clearly failed to do so.”
Persons:
Leo Varadkar, ”
Locations:
Ireland