Why Macron hopes abortion rights are a political winner - BBC News

French president is to enshrine right to abortion in the constitution. Critics question his motives.

1 day agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, AFPImage caption, Protesters outside the Senate in February with placards reading "my body my choice" (L) and "abortion in the constitution"By Hugh SchofieldBBC News, ParísFrance is preparing to become the first country in the world to put the right to abortion in its constitution.

On Monday, parliamentarians from the upper and lower chambers will meet in special session in the Palace of Versailles, summoned by President Emmanuel Macron.

If, as expected, they vote for the government's motion by a three-fifths majority, then the country's 1958 constitution will be revised to enshrine women's "guaranteed freedom" to abort.

It will be the 25th amendment to the Fifth Republic's founding document, and the first since 2008.

Spurred by the end of federal protection of abortion rights in the US two years ago, supporters are exuberant over the revision - which they see as insurance against any similar backpedalling in France.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68456231

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