Almost 50 years after abortion was allowed in France, the court was constitutionalized this afternoon. France thus becomes the first country in the world to constitutionalize the right to abortion. 780 out of 925 parliamentarians voted to include wording stating that women’s freedom to terminate pregnancy is guaranteed in the French constitution. The vote took place in Versailles, where both chambers of the French Parliament meet when the constitution is to be changed. The last time the French constitution was changed was in 2008. Then, among other things, it was decided that a president can only serve two terms. BIG SCREEN: The vote this afternoon was broadcast live on big screens in several places in France. Photo: Reuters Reaction to the US Supreme Court The decision comes after several years in which the international abortion debate has been characterized by decisions that have gone in the opposite direction. It is primarily about the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. The Wade decision, which ensured women’s right to self-determined abortion in the United States. The American decision, which was made in June almost two years ago, is the direct reason for France now incorporating the right to self-determined abortion into the country’s constitution. While the US decision inspired abortion opponents in countries such as Italy, Poland and Hungary (and to some extent in Norway) to a renewed fight against abortion, the US Supreme Court decision thus had the opposite effect in France. Split right-wing The fight to limit the right to abortion has become an important ingredient in the national conservative political movement that characterizes several countries. In France, however, this section of the right has been divided on the issue. Marine Le Pen from the party Nasjonal Samling was among the parliamentarians who voted for the constitutional amendment today. However, she claimed today that it was not a particularly important decision, as the right to self-determined abortion has not been under pressure in France. French government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot told the LCI TV channel ahead of the vote that the decision was not only historic for France, but that it was an important symbol for women’s right to self-determined abortion in all countries. A leading country – Today, France is a leading country, said the country’s Prime Minister Gabriel Attal in the speech he gave before the vote. He emphasized why the decision is decisive in a broad, worldwide struggle for freedom. – When you want to undermine the rights of the population, you always start with women’s rights, continued the Prime Minister.
ttn-69
