France enshrines abortion as a constitutional right, pioneering women's reproductive freedom

French lawmakers are poised to make history by anchoring the right to abortion in the country's constitution, a move expected to receive overwhelming public support. If approved by congress, France will become the first country in the world to explicitly protect the right to terminate a pregnancy in its basic law.

Backing from President and Parliament

President Emmanuel Macron pledged to include abortion rights in the constitution following the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn abortion rights in 2022. The lower-house National Assembly and the Senate have already approved making abortion a "guaranteed freedom" in the constitution, signaling broad political support for the change.

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The bill now faces its final hurdle, a combined vote of both chambers in a rare joint session at the Palace of Versailles. Expectations are high for the bill's passage, given the significant majority it received in previous ballots. Public opinion strongly supports the move, with 86 percent of French people endorsing the constitutional protection of abortion rights, according to a November 2022 survey.

Historical context and Global impact

Abortion was legalized in France in 1975, but its inclusion in the constitution marks a significant milestone in women's rights activism. The move comes amid global scrutiny of abortion rights, with some countries, like Chile, attempting to include abortion rights in their constitutions. France's explicit protection of abortion rights could set a precedent globally, offering broad constitutional provisions not just in Europe but worldwide.

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While left-wing and centrist politicians have welcomed the change, right-wing senators have faced pressure to support it, reflecting the widespread public backing for the measure. President Macron has hailed the Senate's approval as a "decisive step" and swiftly called for the parliamentary congress to finalize the constitutional amendment, emphasizing the significance of the move in safeguarding women's rights in France.