French Lawmakers Approve Historic Bill to Enshrine Abortion Rights in Constitution
Paris (AP) – (Author’s organization*)
French lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved a bill to officially guarantee a woman’s right to undergo a voluntary termination of pregnancy, enshrining abortion rights in France’s constitution. This historic move, proposed by President Emmanuel Macron, is aimed at safeguarding abortion rights amidst rollbacks witnessed in the United States in recent years.
Wide Support and Celebration
The bill, introduced to preserve and strengthen abortion rights, received massive support in a 780-72 vote at the Palace of Versailles during a special joint session of parliament. Abortion has been lawful in France since 1975 and enjoys strong support from across the political spectrum.
The approval of the bill sparked jubilant celebrations, with female legislators in the hall cheering and smiling broadly. Women’s rights activists lauded the measure, which President Macron had promised swiftly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling in 2022.
A Guarantee in the French Constitution
Building upon previous bills passed by the National Assembly and the Senate, the approved measure amends Article 34 of the French Constitution. It specifies that “the law determines the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed.”
Setting an Example and Changing History
Addressing the lawmakers gathered at the joint session, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the significance of elevating women’s rights and setting an example for the world. He highlighted the debt owed to Simone Veil, a pioneer in favor of abortion rights who successfully championed the groundbreaking bill decriminalizing abortion in France in 1975.
“We have a chance to change history,” said Prime Minister Attal in his impassioned speech, urging the lawmakers to stand true to Simone Veil’s legacy. The presence of Simone Veil’s spirit was palpable as the Prime Minister’s words elicited a resounding standing ovation from the attendees.
Unwavering Consensus Across Political Parties
Notably, none of France’s major political parties, including the far-right National Rally party and the conservative Republicans, have questioned the right to abortion. Marine Le Pen, the National Rally party leader, confirmed her party’s support for the bill, asserting that it was unnecessary to overemphasize the historic nature of the day.
Strong Public Support
A recent poll revealed that over 80% of the French public supports abortion rights. Alongside this, a majority showed a solid inclination towards enshrining these rights in the constitution, further cementing the significance of the approved bill.
Celebrations and Impact
Indicative of the overwhelming support for the bill, celebrations were witnessed throughout France even before the beginning of the joint parliamentary session. Women’s rights and equality activists believe that the parliamentary endorsement of abortion rights will significantly curtail any attempts to impede a woman’s decision to terminate a pregnancy.
Guarding Against a Dark Future
Highlighting the repercussion of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strip women of abortion rights, concern has arisen within Europe’s political landscape. Mathilde Philip-Gay, a law professor and specialist in French and American constitutional law, cautioned against complacency as far-right parties attempt to curtail women’s rights in countries across Europe. While this threat may not be imminent in France, preserving these rights in the constitution remains vital to protect against potential political shifts.
A Pivotal Step
Including abortion in the French Constitution will enhance the difficulty of future challenges to these rights. However, it remains essential to adopt the right political strategies to prevent any future erosion of this hard-fought progress.
A Necessarily Elaborate Process
Modifying the French Constitution is an arduous and rare endeavor. France’s Constitution, enacted in 1958, has been amended merely 17 times. The most recent amendment in 2008 granted the parliament greater powers and provided French citizens with a platform to voice their grievances in the Constitutional Court.
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(Author’s organization*) – Barbara Surk reporting from Nice.
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