France’s lower court approves bill to add constitutional right to abortion

On Thursday, France’s lower court voted by a sizeable majority to enshrine abortion rights in their constitution. Supporters of the bill cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade as their reasoning for taking this action.

The law was led by left wing party France Unbowed (LFI).

According to the bill, “The law guarantees the effectiveness and equal access to the right to voluntarily end a pregnancy.”

“The assembly is speaking to the world, our country is speaking to the world,” said jubilant MP Mathilde Panot from LFI, adding that the legislation was essential to protect France against “regression.”

Parliament approved the motion, which garnered 337 votes in favour and got 32 against. The process to enshrine abortion rights in the constitution is not straightforward, as a bill must be approved in the same terms by the lower house and the Senate, which is controlled by the centre-right party The Republicans Group.

Last month, the Senate blocked a bipartisan bill which aimed to give French citizens the right to abortion and contraception as part of the constitution.

Next week, the lower house will vote again on enshrining abortion rights in the constitution when President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance submits its own bill on the issue.