France has become the first country in the world to explicitly include the right to abortion in its constitution. Parliamentarians voted to revise the country’s 1958 constitution to enshrine women’s “guaranteed freedom” to abort.
The overwhelming 780-72 vote saw a standing ovation in the parliament in Versailles when the result was announced. President Emmanuel Macron described the move as “French pride” that had sent a “universal message”.
However anti-abortion groups have strongly criticised the change, as has the Vatican.
Abortion has been legal in France since 1975, but polls show around 85% of the public supported amending the constitution to protect the right to end a pregnancy.
And while several other countries include reproductive rights in their constitutions – France is the first to explicitly state that an abortion will be guaranteed. It becomes the 25th amendment to modern France’s founding document, and the first since 2008.
Following the vote, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was lit up in celebration, with the message: “My Body My Choice”. Before the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told parliament that the right to abortion remained “in danger” and “at the mercy of decision makers”.
“We’re sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you,” he added.
