The majority wants to put an end to the preconceived idea that the country would necessarily become right-wing in all areas and hope to be able to tackle another societal reform: the issue of the end of life.
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Meeting in Congress on Monday, March 4, in Versailles, parliamentarians approved the inclusion of abortion in the Constitution, by a very large majority: 780 votes for and only 72 against. France therefore becomes the first country in the world to include in its fundamental law “the freedom guaranteed to women to have recourse to abortion”. “French pride, universal message”, welcomed Emmanuel Macron who set the ceremony of sealing the Constitution, necessary for each revision of the text, for Friday, i.e. March 8, International Women’s Rights Day. For the first time, it will be open to the public. A text of historic significance, supported by a large parliamentary majority and an almost consensual opinion, this is what fuels within the majority the hope of seeing another societal reform succeed.
This reform is the law on the end of life, repeatedly postponed. Gabriel Attal promised that it would be debated in the Assembly “before summer”. And Emmanuel Macron should soon clarify his intentions. The Élysée evokes a “next expression”. The head of state procrastinated a lot. It has been almost a year since the citizens’ convention on the end of life submitted its report. Emmanuel Macron spared the representatives of the religions, he received them on multiple occasions, but without hope of convincing them. The Church’s opposition is dogmatic, as illustrated by the hostility reiterated on Monday by the Vatican and the French bishops’ conference to the inclusion of abortion in the Constitution. But this influence is now marginal in French society.
Three quarters of French people in favor
The end-of-life issue divides more than the inclusion of abortion in the Constitution. Et first within the healthcare community, many of whom are demanding more resources to improve palliative care. The debate also concerns the conditions governing active assistance in dying. But in polls, three-quarters of French people are in favor of the principle. And this reform also has the political interest for the majority of twisting the neck of the received idea according to which the country would necessarily become right-wing in all areas. This is true on certain sovereign or identity issues, but false on most societal developments. “There is no point in rushing, what counts is the result”confirms the Élysée which ensures that “what was done for abortion and the extension of assisted reproduction to all women will soon be done for the end of life”.
