The right to abortion is reduced like a skin of sorrow in the American South. The Florida legislature adopted on Thursday the prohibition of abortion after six weeks of pregnancy except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the health of the mother. A text that must be signed shortly by Governor Ron DeSantis.
“Today, the Republican-dominated Florida legislature sent an extreme and dangerous new law to Governor DeSantis’ office for him to sign into law,” U.S. executive spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre blasted. , in a press release.
Approved by 70 votes in favor and 40 against by the elected officials of this state in the south-east of the country, the law must indeed be signed by the rising star of the American populist right and possible contender for the White House, Ron DeSantis, who has already indicated its intention to enact it.
Very limited exceptions
The entry into force of this ban will make Florida one of the states that restricts abortion the most without prohibiting it, since the American Supreme Court, dominated by conservative justices, canceled a year ago the constitutional protection of abortion on the territory, leaving the various States free to legislate.
This law also signs a new resounding victory for opponents of abortion in the United States, at a time when the future of the abortion pill is threatened, after restrictions on access to this stamp decided on Thursday by an appeals court .
The only exceptions taken into account by Florida law are those of a “serious risk” to the health of the woman or a fatal anomaly of the fetus, as well as in the event of rape or incest, within the limit 15 weeks of pregnancy.
“This law prohibits legal abortion, but it will not stop abortion in practice. Abortions will simply be performed in private, without medical supervision and with increased risk to women’s health and physical and mental well-being,” Florida Democrat Lindsay Cross said. Florida had already banned abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy in April 2022.
