A fundamental right for women is reinforced by constitutional value in France as the National Assembly voted this Thursday to recognize abortion and birth control in a way that curbs future legal ambiguity. Lawmakers debated and reviewed a bill pushed by the left to enshrine this right in the constitution, arguing that no one should be denied access to voluntary termination of pregnancy or contraception. A solid majority of 337 deputies supported the move, well above the 289 threshold needed for a majority, while 32 voted against. The proposal now faces scrutiny in the Senate, where the conservative majority will decide its fate.
Leaders stressed that progress is never guaranteed and that crises in politics, economy, or religion can threaten hard-won gains for women. Mathilde Panot, a deputy aligned with the left and a leading voice in the coalition of Disobedient France, the Socialist Party, greens and communists, warned that women’s rights must be defended against reactionary forces. Panot noted that the bill arrived in a moment when the opposition sought to test its fate under parliamentary rules, highlighting the ongoing tension between reformist aims and political maneuvering.
Alongside the constitutional proposal, another media measure was on the agenda that afternoon, aiming to ban bullfighting on French soil. The sheer number of amendments from opponents, exceeding five hundred, led the Disobedient left to announce that the bill would be pulled from the agenda due to insufficient time before the midnight deadline for votes. The process underscored how procedural debates can shape the pace of landmark policy discussions.
Precedent of the US Supreme Court
Experts noted that the future remains unpredictable. The idea of placing abortion and birth control within the Constitution is framed as a response to fears about the ongoing challenges faced by women globally. During the morning session, Panot reiterated the goal of advancing the measure and argued that recognizing abortion as a constitutional right has been a topic of intense political debate in France since a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in June opened a federal pathway for states to regulate or bar voluntary termination of pregnancy. The comparison highlighted how constitutional framing can influence national policy, independent of current political winds.
Another related bill, one that would align with the president’s circle of allies, was prepared to reach Parliament in the coming days but could be withdrawn from consideration. Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti supported the left’s approach, noting that the timing is delicate in a busy legislative period. The votes of government supporters around the presidency played a decisive role in shaping early backing for the proposal.
Right and far-right profile
Abortion policy remains a point of polarization across the political spectrum in France. Support comes from across the center and left, while voices on the far right and some conservative factions have offered mixed responses. In the broader political dance, some parties signaled openness while others suggested that changing the constitution on this issue would be inappropriate. Even groups that have traditionally opposed broad reform have indicated a willingness to revisit how the issue is framed within the Magna Carta, reflecting the evolving nature of French politics on reproductive rights.
Despite parliamentary acceptance of the concept, the right to abortion still awaits a legal status that could withstand judicial and constitutional tests. The next step is for the Senate to weigh the proposal, a chamber where party alignments and strategy matter greatly. Abortion has been legally protected in France for nearly five decades, with successive laws strengthening access in recent years. The most recent update extended the window for abortion from twelve to fourteen weeks, a shift aimed at giving women more time to decide. Yet many still report difficulties obtaining services in both public and private hospitals, and there are estimates of thousands who seek options abroad in nearby jurisdictions to exercise this right.