Set in stone? France enshrines abortion rights in constitution
Back to homepage / Shows / The Debate Issued on: 04/03/2024 – 20:25 45:50 THE DEBATE © FRANCE 24 Why set it in stone? France has become the first nation to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution, thanks to overwhelming approval from a rare joint session of both houses of parliament. Lawmakers launched the initiative […]
T Kauer 
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Why set it in stone? France has become the first nation to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution, thanks to overwhelming approval from a rare joint session of both houses of parliament. Lawmakers launched the initiative after the US Supreme Court’s overturning of a half-century-old federal guarantee. But does the rolling back of reproductive rights across the Atlantic and in places like Poland and Hungary necessitate a constitutional amendment in France?
Unspoken is the very real chance of a surging French far right taking over for the first time since World War II. Its leader Marine Le Pen herself voted for the amendment, as did a majority of her party, but many conservatives also want the constitution to recognise France’s Christian roots.
Why do these culture wars issues resonate so powerfully? Are these issues specific to France and Europe, or part of a global conversation about how humanity defines gender rights? More broadly, which way is the pendulum swinging?
Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Imen Mellaz
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