In a landmark move, French lawmakers have unanimously approved a bill to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution of France. The historic decision was made during a joint session of Parliament at the Palace of Versailles, where the bill received overwhelming support with a vote of 780-72, prompting a standing ovation from nearly the entire assembly.
The approval of this bill has sparked celebratory scenes across the country, with women’s rights activists lauding the measure as a significant milestone. President Emmanuel Macron had pledged to enact this legislation in response to recent setbacks to abortion rights in the United States, and France has now become the first country in the world to explicitly protect the right to terminate a pregnancy in its fundamental law.
Both chambers of Parliament, the National Assembly, and the Senate, had previously passed a bill to amend Article 34 of the constitution, affirming a woman’s right to abortion as guaranteed. Yael Braun-Pivet, the head of the lower house of Parliament, expressed pride in the Congress for embedding this essential right into the nation’s foundational law.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the message this decision sends to women, asserting that their bodies belong to them alone, and no one should dictate their choices. The legislation was prompted by concerns raised following the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn the Roe v Wade ruling, which protected women’s access to abortion.
Laura Slimani, from the Fondation des Femmes rights group, highlighted the significance of this moment in history, acknowledging the emotion and solemnity surrounding the occasion.
However, not all reactions to the vote were positive. Anti-abortion groups and far-right leaders, including Marine Le Pen, criticized President Macron, accusing him of using the legislation for political gain. Despite opposition, proponents of the bill stressed the importance of safeguarding women’s rights and ensuring access to abortion remains protected.
Pascale Moriniere, president of the Association of Catholic Families, characterized the vote as a reaction to external pressures, citing concerns over imported debates from the United States. Nevertheless, the decision reflects France’s longstanding commitment to women’s reproductive rights, which have been legally protected since 1974.
