French lawmakers have officially voted in favor of amending the country’s constitution to include a provision guaranteeing the “freedom” to have an abortion. This milestone comes after a series of legislative steps and reflects a significant moment in France’s commitment to women’s reproductive rights.
The symbolic vote, which required a three-fifths majority in both houses of parliament, saw overwhelming support from MPs and Senators, with 780 votes in favor and 72 against, surpassing the necessary threshold of 512 votes.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal addressed the joint session of Parliament, expressing pride in witnessing the historic change. He emphasized the importance of including women’s freedom in the fundamental law, citing a moral obligation to all women.
The President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, echoed these sentiments, reaffirming France’s commitment to upholding this freedom and offering support to women both within the country and globally.
The constitutional amendment was prompted by concerns over the erosion of abortion rights, particularly following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. France’s legislation acknowledges the global threat to women’s rights, citing examples such as the restrictive measures imposed in Poland.
The move has been applauded by feminist and gender equality organizations, who hailed it as a victory for women’s rights. However, they also emphasized the need for continued vigilance in the face of rising anti-abortion sentiments.
Despite some opposition, notably from Anne-Laure Blin of the right-wing Republicans party, who argued that the right to abortion was not under threat in France, the majority of lawmakers supported the constitutional amendment.
Abortion has been legal in France since 1975, and the amendment reinforces this right by enshrining it in the constitution. The overwhelming public support for the change, as evidenced by an IFOP survey, underscores its significance and reflects a broader shift towards progressive reproductive rights policies.
With the passage of this amendment, France joins other European countries like Slovenia in explicitly recognizing the right to decide on reproductive matters in their constitutions. The amendment states that “the law determines the conditions under which the freedom is guaranteed to a woman to resort to voluntarily terminating a pregnancy,” reaffirming France’s commitment to protecting women’s autonomy and rights.