France makes landmark move to embed abortion rights in its constitution

France made history on Monday by becoming the first country to include abortion rights in its constitution. This milestone was the result of a movement that started in reaction to the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

With overwhelming support, lawmakers from both chambers of the French Parliament voted 780 to 72 in favor of the amendment. This clear majority easily met the three-fifths threshold required to change the French constitution.

Monday’s vote at the Palace of Versailles marked the last stage of the legislative process. Both the French Senate and National Assembly had already given their strong approval to the amendment earlier this year.

The amendment affirms a "guaranteed freedom" to abortion in France. While some groups and lawmakers wanted more explicit language declaring abortion as a "right."

Lawmakers praised the decision as a significant step for France to show strong support for reproductive rights, especially with the threat to abortion in the United States and countries like Hungary, where far-right parties are gaining power.

Before the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized that lawmakers had a responsibility to address the "moral debt" owed to women who had to undergo illegal abortions in the past.

Attal emphasized that the most important message being conveyed is that every woman has ownership of her own body.

President Macron announced that a formal ceremony will be held on Friday to celebrate the passing of the amendment, coinciding with International Women's Rights Day.

An embryologist is working at the Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine in Reston, Virginia. The center offers various assisted reproduction procedures like freezing eggs, getting pregnant after the age of 50, and even choosing the baby's sex. In the United States, there are many options available for would-be parents compared to other countries. France, for example, is working on passing legislation that would allow single women and lesbian couples to access these technologies for the first time.

An embryologist is seen at work at the Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine, in Reston, Virginia on June 12, 2019 - Freezing your eggs, getting pregnant after the age of 50, choosing the baby's sex: when it comes to in-vitro fertilization and other assisted reproduction procedures in the United States, would-be parents are spoilt for choice. This isn't the case in many other countries, including France, which is hoping to pass legislation that would let single women and lesbian couples benefit from these technologies for the first time. (Photo by Ivan Couronne / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY by Ivan COURONNE, "In US, relaxed IVF laws help would-be parents realize dreams" (Photo by IVAN COURONNE/AFP via Getty Images)

Ivan Couronne/AFP/Getty Images

Related article

France made abortion legal in 1975 following a successful campaign led by then-Health Minister Simone Veil, a prominent feminist icon and Auschwitz survivor.

Abortion is a topic that stirs up strong opinions in US politics, often dividing along party lines. However, in France, there is widespread support for abortion. Some lawmakers who voted against the amendment did not necessarily oppose abortion, but felt that the measure was unnecessary due to the existing strong support for reproductive rights.

The recent passing of the measure marks a significant win for the French left, which has been advocating for abortion rights to be enshrined in the constitution for years. Prior to 2022, President Emmanuel Macron's administration, much like the current opponents of the amendment, argued that such a move was unnecessary.

In 2022, the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to make their own laws on the matter prompted France to take action.

Before the National Assembly began discussing the issue in January, French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti warned that history has shown how "fundamental rights" can be thought to be secure, only to be later stripped away, citing the recent ruling by the US Supreme Court as a reminder.

He stated that there is undeniable evidence that no democracy, not even the biggest one, is safe from threats.

This vote is the 25th instance where the French government has made changes to its constitution since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958.

The Catholic Church was one of the few groups to publicly declare its disagreement with the amendment. The Pontifical Academy for Life, a Vatican organization that deals with bioethics, stated that in a time where universal human rights are valued, there should not be a perceived 'right' to end human life.

Additionally, during a conference of French bishops on Thursday, the church's stance against abortion was once again emphasized before the vote took place.

CNN’s Joseph Ataman and Christopher Lamb contributed to this report

Editor's P/S:

This article highlights the momentous achievement of France in becoming the first nation to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution. The overwhelming support for this amendment reflects a deep commitment to reproductive freedom and women's rights, particularly in the face of threats to abortion access in other countries. The passage of this measure serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting fundamental rights and ensuring that women have autonomy over their own bodies.

The article also underscores the significance of the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as a catalyst for action in France. This ruling ignited concerns about the erosion of reproductive rights globally, prompting France to take proactive steps to safeguard these rights for its citizens. The amendment's passage represents a triumph for the French left and a testament to the enduring power of social movements in shaping laws and policies that reflect the values of a society.