France protects the fitting to abortion in its Constitution | EUROtoday

In 1971 the French thinker and feminist Simone de Beauvoir printed a textual content through which, beneath the title 'I needed to abort', greater than 300 girls informed their testimony and requested for the legalization of abortion. Four years later, in 1975, the so-called “Ley Veil“, promoted by the politician Simone Veil, which licensed the voluntary interruption of being pregnant.

Half a century later, its heritage is constitutionalized: France has permitted defending abortion within the Constitution. It is the primary nation on this planet to take action and there was broad political consensus for it.

This historic session started and ended with the phrases of the president of the French Assembly, Yal Braun-Pivet, adopted by a standing ovation. “For the first time in history, this Congress is presided over by a woman,” she mentioned. The parliamentarians burst into applause. This congress made up of deputies and senators meets within the Palace of Versailles solely when modifications must be made to the Magna Carta. The final time was 16 years in the past.

“For the adoption of the text: 780 in favor, and 72 against, above the 512 votes necessary (three-fifths). Braun-Pivet's words, at the end, which implied the approval of the measure, were followed by another standing ovation for one minute from all parliamentarians. Some women were singing L'hymme des femmes, a feminist song from the 70s. Meanwhile, in Paris' Trocadero Square, thousands of women celebrated this milestone at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the dame from France.

“The legislation determines the circumstances beneath which the liberty assured to girls to resort to voluntary termination of being pregnant is exercised.” These words were recorded in the Constitution French with the signature, for the first time, of a woman, Braun-Pivet.

“French pleasure, common message.” This is how the president, Emmanuel Macron, celebrated it in a message on X (formerly Twitter). France marks a milestone in its history and in that of the feminist movement in the world. It was a three-hour session, very emotional, full of references to Simone Veil and Simone de Beauvoir, but also to all those anonymous women who have fought, suffered “or died to defend their freedoms.” There was applause and ovations, national unity was displayed.

Almost all the participants (one from each group) dedicated words to the memory of Veil, “that of her struggle” for women's rights. The Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, the first to speak, said: In 1975 “Veil went as much as the podium of the chamber, amid insults…”, the day the law allowing abortion was being voted on. “Half a century later, earlier than the eyes of his household, this Congress lastly does justice to Veil and his legacy“he said. The parliamentarians stood up.

This is quite significant. It is one of the few laws that, in recent times, have moved forward without tense debates and with broad agreement from most parties, including Marine Le Pen, which refines this process of de-diabolization of his party, its normalization within political life. No parliamentarian defended the 'no' in his speech. Only the party of the far-right leader Eric Zemmour was opposed, and some parliamentarians from other parties who argued that it was not necessary, that this right is already guaranteed.

“Your physique belongs to you and nobody has the fitting to get rid of it in your home,” said Attal: “We have an ethical debt to these girls, those that have suffered and even died for having tried to be free. Today we are able to change the course of History”.

This culminates after an 18-month parliamentary process. The idea of ​​constitutionalizing the right to abortion began to take shape in June 2022, upon seeing that in the US it was made illegal in some states. There is fear that this could happen in Europe, especially given the rise of the extreme right in some countriesthat the acquired rights, which today are believed to be consolidated, may disappear.

The parliamentarians who intervened made reference to Hungary, Poland, the USA, Argentina or Russia. “Simone de Beauvoir mentioned it: One minute is sufficient for every part we’ve achieved to be misplaced (…) In one week we are able to go from proof to wrestle, from freedom to oppression,” said the prime minister. “Just have a look at the world,” to see how “populism and authoritarianism take energy.” “Attal has cited, for instance, the setback within the US with abortion or the state of affairs in Iran and different “places where many free women” are now not free.

Last week, the Upper House gave the inexperienced mild – after the Assembly had carried out so – after an intense debate, as some members of the conservative Republican social gathering doubted whether or not it was obligatory to incorporate the phrase “guarantee” within the Constitution. For many, it could be a useless letter if the State isn’t capable of present the means in order that this proper may be executed, offering well being protection.

The act of inscription within the Magna Carta will happen subsequent day the eighth, coinciding with Women's Day. This is an occasion that shall be attended by Emmanuel Macron, whose presence right this moment in right this moment's Congress isn’t licensed by the Constitution, as it’s a vote. Go down in historical past because the president beneath whose mandate this proper was achieved. On the Eiffel Tower, illuminated and surrounded by purple flags, it reads this afternoon: “mon corps, mon choix” (My physique, my resolution).