LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- A bill relaxing abortion restrictions has set off a national furor in this Roman Catholic country where residents are arguing an issue politicians have dodged for 13 years.

As parliament prepares to debate proposals Thursday that would ease restrictions on abortion, the Catholic Church and secular forces advocating more freedom for individuals have galvanized their supporters.

Stickers plastered to lampposts in Lisbon show a woman's ankle attached to a ball and chain, equating Portugal's abortion laws with the repression of women.

Church groups have sent parliamentary deputies a 30-minute video containing images of discarded fetuses. The Association of Catholic Doctors has distributed a leaflet titled ``Don't Kill Little Johnny.''

Lawmakers have been able to avoid the issue for the 13 years that the current law has been on the books. Debate is resurfacing now because the opposition Communist Party thinks it finally has a chance to change the law.

The ruling Socialist Party is split between deputies who sympathize with Communists' proposals and those who -- like Prime Minister Antonio Guterres -- don't want any easing of the law. Because of the intensity of the debate, Guterres has has refused to publicly ask his deputies to vote as a bloc, instead instructing them to vote their conscience.

The Socialists hold 122 seats in the 230-seat parliament. The vote could be close.

Under present law, abortion is legal if a mother's life or long-term health is at risk, or until the 16th week if the fetus has ``a serious illness or deformation.'' That description is vague enough to prompt debate about the circumstances under which abortions can be performed. Another provision allows abortion until the 12th week in cases of rape.

The Communist Party wants abortion to be legal through the 12th week -- or the 22nd in the case of ``serious illness or deformation.''

The Catholic church is fighting any relaxation of abortion restrictions. ``All and any attacks on human life must be repelled,'' said Januario Torgal Ferreira, secretary of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, a Catholic organization.