right to abortion, story of recognition

The Veil law opened up the possibility of abortion for women in France. It was 1974 and we are celebrating its 50th anniversary. Its adoption did not go without debate. But after five years of experience, it was confirmed by a new law in 1979. In France, this practice quickly became commonplace and, by the 1980s, more than 70% of French people supported this right.

The Congress vote on Monday March 4 should give it additional solemnity. Because the Congress in France is a special institution. It brings together deputies and senators in a single assembly, in a hemicycle built for this purpose in 1875, in the south wing of the Palace of Versailles. Under the Third and Fourth Republics, the congress had to elect the President of the Republic.

Under the Fifth Republic, its role lies above all in the adoption of constitutional reforms and solemn audiences to hear a message from the head of state. This was particularly the case when President Sarkozy made his major constitutional reform in 2008 or when President Hollande decided to hold this meeting the day after the November 13 attacks, to support national unity. Monday’s vote will therefore give the right to abortion very strong legitimacy, that of the Constitution.