EBN- The French parliament has made a historic vote, enshrining abortion as a constitutional right.
Out of 925 MPs and senators eligible to vote, 780 supported the amendment, which will give women the “guaranteed freedom” to choose an abortion.
President Emmanuel Macron described the move as “French pride” that had sent a “universal message”.
The prime minister, Gabriel Attal, told those gathered in the opulent Congress Hall in the palace’s Midi wing: “We are haunted by the suffering and memory of so many women who were not free. We owe a moral debt [to all the women who] suffered in their flesh.
“Today, the present must respond to history. To enshrine this right in our constitution is to close the door on the tragedy of the past and its trail of suffering and pain. It will further prevent reactionaries from attacking women.
“Let’s not forget that the train of oppression can happen again. Let’s act to ensure that it doesn’t, that it never comes this day.”
He added: “I say to all women within our borders and beyond, that today, the era of a world of hope begins.”
However, anti-abortion groups have strongly criticised the French parliament move, as has the Vatican.
Mathilde Panot, an MP from the hard-left France Unbowed, who proposed inscribing the abortion rights in the constitution, told the meeting it was “a promise … for all women fighting [for them] everywhere in the world.”
She further added: “Your fight is ours. This victory is yours.”
