Extension of the legal deadline for abortion: MEPs vote for the key provision

The deputies voted Thursday, October 8 in favor of extending the legal deadline for resorting to abortion, a key provision of a bill on which the government is showing caution in the face of a stronger majority.

To read also: IVG: "Question of conscience"

However, this is only a first reading examination and the government seems to want to procrastinate.

Against the backdrop of often heated debates, the deputies voted in favor of extending the legal period of access to abortion from 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy (16 weeks of amenorrhea), contained in article 1 of the text, by 102 votes to 65.

Supported by the member of the EDS group (Ecology, democracy, solidarity) and ex-LREM Albane Gaillot, the bill is debated within the framework of a “

” reserved for his political group.

The text obtained the support of the majority and follows a parliamentary report by the Assembly's delegation for Women's Rights which advocated this measure.

One hundred and sixteen amendments have been tabled.

"

", she explained, referring to "

".

Read also: Schiappa opposes the lengthening of the abortion up to fourteen weeks

"

Sometimes the best is the enemy of the good

", according to Véran

The government, through the voice of the Minister of Solidarity and Health, has asserted a "

" on the whole of a text of which it regrets the method.

“

,” he stressed.

Applauded or booed, Olivier Véran recalled that it was essential to await the opinion of the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE), which the government seized on Tuesday, "

" and to enlighten the debates.

The latter must deliver its opinion in November.

"

", argued the Minister.

"

", we congratulated on the benches of the right opposed to the text.

To read also: Guillaume Tabard: “Abortion, political maneuvers or choice of society?”

Because the LREM group has chosen to emancipate itself from the government position and mainly supports the EDS bill.

Of the 74 walking deputies present at the time of the vote on Article 1, 56 voted in favor, 12 against, six abstained.

The deputies of the presidential party voted almost in unison to reject the amendments to delete Article 1.

“

”, declared the MP for Yvelines, Aurore Bergé.

The abortion rate increased slightly in 2019, with more than 232,000 abortions performed in France, reaching its highest level in thirty years, according to an official study.