France’s 1973 Supreme Court decision to end abortion’s ‘t Hooft-Density’ is not a political stunt by Macron
France is expected to hold a historic joint session of parliament today to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution. France would be the first country to do so if the measure passes.
When the US Supreme Court ruled against abortion rights in 1971, France looked on with alarm as other states began to advance their own anti-choice agendas.
“I made a commitment to make women’s freedom to have an abortion irreversible by inscribing it in the constitution,” Macron said on X (formerly Twitter) after lawmakers’ approved it Wednesday.
The change to the constitution requires the Versailles parliament session and approval by a three-fifths majority in both houses. Monday’s joint session at Versailles is expected to pass the measure, which both houses have already approved.
The French Senate paved the way last week when over 80% of legislators gave their green light.
Some conservative lawmakers in parliament said there was no need to amend the constitution, despite the fact that none of the major political parties questioned the morality of abortion.
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally party said that abortion is not a topic of discussion in politics. The measure was approved by Le Pen.
At the time, there were large protests against the measure and Veil was personally attacked, in a France that was still a largely conservative, Catholic country.
France’s time limit on elective abortion is set at 14 weeks — a shorter timeframe than the proposed 15-week nationwide ban that has caused an uproar in the United States.
Out on the streets of Paris, there are differing views on the matter. “Abortion is in no way under threat in France and I think this is just a political stunt by Macron,” says Camille Galy, a 62-year-old dentist.
Fifty-year-old Corinne Bosser disagrees. One day, she says the right to an abortion could be under threat. “This is a way to guarantee that our daughters and granddaughters will have the same rights we have.”
Up First Newsletter: A Report on Haley’s 2024 U.S. Campaign for Human Rights, the Hirbawi Family, and Israel
Good start to the day. The newsletter is called Up First. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
Vice President Harris has called for an immediate, temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas so that hostages taken by Hamas can be brought back to their families. Harris called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe” while speaking at the annual commemoration of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Ala., a symbolic site in the U.S. fight for civil rights.
Nikki Haley has won D.C.’s Republican primary, marking the first victory of her 2024 campaign. She trails far behind former President Donald Trump, who has won all other nominating contests so far by double digits. Her deficit could balloon if she can’t win a majority of the 15 states tomorrow on Super Tuesday. The largest primary day of the election season is the day after Thanksgiving. What to expect.
See photos of the Hirbawi family hard at work at their factory. Then you will learn how the keffiyeh became a symbol for Palestinians.
Source: Harris calls for Gaza cease-fire; France to constitutionally enshrine abortion rights
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