President Macron’s Push to Protect Women’s Freedom of Choice
Introduction
Paris, France – France’s National Assembly will begin deliberations on Tuesday regarding a bill aimed at safeguarding a woman’s right to an abortion in the French Constitution. This crucial step in the legislative process follows President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment to counter the rolling back of abortion rights in the United States.
Constitutional Amendment and Legislative Process
The proposed measure seeks to amend Article 34 of France’s constitution, explicitly stating that “the law determines the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed.” To become law, a constitutional amendment must pass both chambers of parliament and gain approval through either a referendum or a three-fifths majority in a joint parliamentary session.
Support and Opposition
Notably, none of France’s major political parties represented in parliament challenges the right to abortion. A majority of deputies in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, are expected to vote in favor of the proposal. However, uncertainty surrounds the measure’s passage in the Senate, where some members of the conservative majority have voiced criticism of the wording.
Macron’s Approach
While Macron’s government aims to secure approval through a joint parliamentary session, the level of support for the bill in the Senate remains uncertain. If the bill passes both houses in the same form, Macron intends to convene a special session to rally support and secure a three-fifths majority vote.
International Context
The introduction to the bill highlights the threat to abortion rights, referencing the recent overturning of a 50-year-old ruling by the United States Supreme Court. The French government argues that similar currents of opposition exist in various countries worldwide, including Europe. It cites the controversial tightening of Poland’s already restrictive abortion law, which sparked widespread protests in 2020. The Polish constitutional court ruling prohibited the termination of pregnancies in cases of severe fetal deformities, including Down Syndrome.
Conclusion
As France takes a significant step toward enshrining abortion rights in its constitution, the proposed legislation reflects President Macron’s commitment to upholding women’s freedom of choice. While the bill’s path may face hurdles in the Senate, it is expected to garner substantial support. The outcome will have implications not only for France but also for the broader global discourse on reproductive rights.
