France has become the first country in the world to explicitly include the right to abortion in its constitution.
Parliamentarians voted to revise the country’s 1958 constitution to enshrine women’s “guaranteed freedom” – and access – to abort. The overwhelming 780-72 vote saw a standing ovation in the parliament in Versailles when the result was announced.
President Emmanuel Macron, who is said has used the move as a playing piece in his re-election campaign, has described this development as “French pride” that had sent a “universal message”.
Before the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told parliament that the right to abortion remained “in danger” and “at the mercy of decision makers”.
Of course, anti-abortion groups have strongly criticized the change – as has the Vatican.
Following the vote, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was lit up in celebration, with the message: “My Body My Choice”.
Critics say the revision is not necessarily wrong in itself, but unnecessary, and accused the centrist president of trying to use the cause to boost his left-wing support. In any case, it seems to have bolstered him against Marine Le Pen.
The constitutional change was prompted by recent developments in the US, where the right to abortion was removed by the Supreme Court in 2022, leading to multiple individual states banning abortion.
“There can be no ‘right’ to take a human life,” the Vatican stated, echoing concerns already raised by French Catholic bishops.
Nevertheless, polls show that a whopping 85% of French voters supported the decision.
