France makes abortion a constitutional right
France has become the first country worldwide to embed the right to abortion in its constitution.
During a joint session held at the historic Palace of Versailles, both houses of the French parliament convened for a congress and adopted an amendment affirming women’s right to abortion within the republic’s constitution, TuraNews.kz reports citing TASS.
The proceedings of the Senate (upper house) and the National Assembly (lower house) were broadcasted by the parliamentary television channel Public Senat.
This significant step marks France as the pioneer nation to officially recognize the right to abortion at the constitutional level.
Yael Bron-Pivet, the Speaker of the National Assembly, disclosed that out of 925 deputies and senators assembled at the Palace of Versailles, a resounding 780 parliamentarians supported this groundbreaking initiative.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who advocated for the inclusion of this provision in the constitution, has voiced his backing for the decision made by legislators.
In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Macron hailed the development as “French pride and a signal to the whole world,” emphasizing the collective celebration of the republic’s newfound freedom.
While abortion has been legal in France since 1975, Macron’s proposal last fall sought to elevate this right to constitutional status. According to BFMTV, the amendment carries symbolic significance and is not expected to alter the approach to abortion for women. Justice Minister Eric Dupont-Moretti remarked that “the republic will become the first country in the world to enshrine this norm in its constitution.”
In accordance with the country’s constitution established in 1958, amendments to the fundamental law necessitate approval by Congress convened in Versailles. Such approval mandates a majority vote of at least 3/5 from both houses of parliament.
