Lawmakers Vote to Raise Legal Termination Limit from 12 to 14 Weeks
In a historic move following a prolonged and contentious debate, France has officially extended its legal time limit for abortions from 12 to 14 weeks. The decision came after a heated year-long parliamentary struggle, driven by widespread frustration that thousands of French women had to travel to countries like the Netherlands, Spain, or England to access abortions due to restrictive domestic laws.
On Wednesday, the French National Assembly erupted in applause as lawmakers passed the bill, marking a significant step towards addressing the issue. However, the 14-week limit remains lower than the threshold in several European countries, including England, where the legal limit is set at 24 weeks.
Health Minister Olivier Véran emphasized the importance of the change, highlighting that it would relieve the distress faced by women forced to seek abortions abroad. Despite the approval, the law’s passage was far from straightforward. It faced strong opposition, particularly from President Emmanuel Macron, who voiced concerns about the psychological impact of late-term abortions. In a 2021 interview with Elle magazine, Macron expressed that extending the limit might be “more traumatising” for women. However, the new law was passed in the final days of the current parliamentary session, ahead of the upcoming presidential election in April.
