France is set to establish enduring and unchangeable abortion rights

30 Oct, 2023

France is set to establish enduring and unchangeable abortion rights

French President Emmanuel Macron revealed on Sunday that his government is preparing to incorporate abortion rights into the French constitution, with the intent of making them "irreversible." In an online statement, Macron disclosed that a draft proposal would be presented to the State Council, France's highest administrative court, in the upcoming week. The goal is to constitutionally establish abortion rights by the end of the year.

"In 2024, the potential of female to make abortion preferences will be completely secured," Macron stressed.

This announcement follows a pledge made by Macron on March 8, which is celebrated as International Women's Day. It was perceived as a response to the reversal of federal abortion rights in the United States the previous year.

Constitutional amendments in France necessitate either a referendum or the approval of at least three-fifths of the members of both parliamentary chambers convening in a congress. Throughout the post-war era, most constitutional changes in France have been endorsed through congressional voting.

The decriminalization of pregnancy termination in France dates back to 1975. Since then, successive laws have aimed at enhancing the conditions for abortions, particularly by safeguarding the health and anonymity of women and lessening the financial burden associated with the procedure.

A November 2022 public opinion poll revealed that 89 percent of respondents supported the idea of incorporating abortion rights into the constitution. According to government statistics, 234,000 abortions were conducted in France last year.