France Becomes First Nation to Make Abortion a Constitutional Right in 50 Years

A bill to protect women’s right to an abortion passed today after a historic vote in a joint session of parliament at the Palace of Versailles. The measure was assured by President Emmanuel Macron following a push back of abortion rights in court decisions in the United States.

Mr. Macron’s government required Article 34 of the French constitution adjusted to specify that ‘the law determines the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed.’

The bill was approved by the 780-72 vote a required three-fifths majority in the joint session.