Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed the nation’s toughest set of abortion restrictions into law Thursday, declaring a major victory for abortion opponents after weeks of divisive political debate.

The bill passed over the strong protests of Democrats and abortion-rights supporters. Abortion-rights activists and clinic operators say the measure will force the closure of all but five of the state’s 42 abortion providers.

In a signing ceremony at the state Capitol in Austin attended by more than 100 Republican lawmakers, the Republican governor praised the measure as a landmark in protecting unborn children and women’s health.

“This is an important day for those who support life and for those who support the health of Texas women,” Perry said.

The new law bans abortions 20 or more weeks after conception. It requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital and for abortions to be done in ambulatory surgical centers.

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