Buenos Aires, August 9 (RHC)-- Former Argentinean president and current senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner rejected Thursday the Senate's refusal to approve the legalization of abortion, but she was optimistic about the future.

“It's a pity that we have not been able to reach a consensus, because the problem will continue to exist (...)15 years from now this bill will be law, have no doubt!” she said in her remarks during the debate, according to teleSUR.

The Senate rejected the bill of voluntary interruption of pregnancy, while tens of thousands demonstrated in the streets for a positive outcome for abortion legalization.

With 38 votes against, 31 in favor and two abstentions, the historic session was finished amid massive mobilizations of the Argentinean people.  The bill had originally been passed by Congress' lower house by a narrow margin in June.

"This bill will not become law tonight.  It will not be this year, but it will be next year or the next," Cristina Fernandez said minutes before the vote.  She also regretted that there were no alternative proposals before such a serious issue for the country.

“Abortion exists in Argentina.  It happens, whether we agree with it or not,” she emphasized.