This week, MPs will examine a text aimed at enshrining access to abortion in the Constitution

Posted on 21 November 2022

The deputies adopted Wednesday, November 16 in committee a new text aimed at including the right to abortion in the Constitution, tabled by the LFI group and which will be examined on November 24 in the hemicycle.

This green light from the Laws Committee comes a week after that given to another constitutional bill, with the same main objective and carried by the presidential Renaissance party. But whose examination in session is only scheduled for November 28.

The competition between these texts did not prevent the presidential majority from voting in favor of the LFI proposal, not without some tension when Renaissance wanted to bring the wording closer to that of its own text, before changing its mind.

"No one can infringe the right to voluntary termination of pregnancy and contraception": unlike the text of the Macronist deputies, that of LFI also mentions contraception.

Even in the event of a positive vote in session, the inclusion of the right to abortion in the Constitution is currently facing opposition from the Senate, which in October rejected a similar text to that of LFI.

However, any proposal for a constitutional law must be voted on in the same terms by the two assemblies, before being submitted to a referendum.

This last step could be avoided if it is a bill, that is to say a text carried by the executive. “We would be ready to vote for it,” said Ms. Panot, worried that a referendum would give rise to “a campaign where anti-choice movements would be galvanized”.

The defenders of constitutionalization argue that the right to abortion must be better protected, in the light of the challenges observed recently in the United States or even in Europe.

In addition to the one on abortion, LFI has included 11 other texts in its "parliamentary niche" on November 24, the day on which it will set the agenda in the hemicycle.

Among them, the deputies also adopted on Wednesday in committee the one proposing "the creation of a body of civil servants for those accompanying students with disabilities (AESH)". But with amendments emptying it of its substance, lamented the Insoumis.

The text proposing to ban bullfighting was rejected in committee, as was the proposal for a commission of inquiry into the "Uber Files" and "the role of the President of the Republic in the establishment of Uber in France" .

The deputies did not adopt either in committee the proposal to raise the minimum wage to 1.600 euros net.

These rejections will not prevent the texts from being examined on November 24 in session, provided that time permits, the closing of the debates being scheduled for midnight.

The Editorial Board (with AFP)