France’s Senate Votes to Constitutionally Protect Abortion as a Fundamental Freedom

France’s Senate has endorsed a government initiative to codify the “freedom” to undergo abortion into the country’s constitution, setting the stage for a decisive vote at a special congress. This move comes following President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment last year to secure the right to abortion within the constitutional framework, prompted by the US Supreme Court’s rollback of abortion rights. Despite resistance from conservative factions, the upper chamber overwhelmingly approved the constitutional amendment by a vote of 267 to 50.

The National Assembly had previously lent overwhelming support to the proposal in January, aligning with Macron’s centrist coalition and left-wing opposition parties. Macron, expressing satisfaction with the Senate’s decision, announced plans for a final vote at a special Congress session. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti hailed the impending constitutional safeguard as a groundbreaking moment, positioning France to become the world’s first country to enshrine women’s freedom to make decisions regarding their bodies within its constitution. While the terminology of “guaranteed freedom” was chosen as a compromise between the two houses, the rejection of proposed amendments by a Senate committee underscores the momentum toward securing this fundamental right. Despite internal pressures within the Senate, public opinion surveys indicate strong support for the constitutional protection of abortion rights, reflecting an 86 percent approval rate among French citizens surveyed by IFOP in November 2022.

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