In a landmark decision, French lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to enshrine abortion rights within the nation’s constitution, becoming the only country to explicitly guarantee a woman’s right to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy. The historic vote, which took place in the Palace of Versailles, saw a 780-72 approval during a special joint session of France’s parliament. This measure, which has wide support across most of the political spectrum, marks a significant step proposed by President Emmanuel Macron to prevent any rollback of abortion rights, similar to recent developments in the United States.
The amendment, which had previously been adopted by both houses of France’s parliament, needed a final confirmation by a three-fifths majority in the joint session. The measure specifies the conditions under which the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion is guaranteed. This step is seen as a move to make France a leader in women’s rights, with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and other lawmakers paying tribute to feminist icons like Simone Veil, who championed the decriminalization of abortion in France in 1975.
The decision has been met with widespread support among the French public, with recent polls showing more than 80% in favor of abortion rights and a solid majority supporting its inclusion in the constitution. The move is regarded as a victory for feminists and a protection for women’s rights today and in the future, amidst growing concerns about the potential for similar rights rollbacks seen in other parts of the world, including the United States.
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