Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
It would allow women from countries with stricter abortion laws to travel to another member state to terminate the pregnancy.
The European Parliament is preparing for a closely watched vote that reflects deeper cultural and political rifts across the bloc.
Lawmakers gathering in Strasbourg are weighing a proposal that supporters describe as a test of solidarity, while critics see it as a challenge to national sovereignty.
A cross-border idea
According to Reuters, the proposal under consideration stems from a citizens’ initiative called “My Voice, My Choice.”
It calls for the creation of an EU-funded mechanism to help women travel to another member state to end a pregnancy at no personal cost.
According to the briefing from the European Parliament, the initiatve stems from a citizen’s initiative, which collectd more than one million signatures.
Reuters reported that the plan is aimed at residents of countries with strict abortion rules, including Malta and Poland, as well as states such as Italy and Croatia where access can be limited in practice.
Shifting politics
Abortion access has expanded in parts of Europe in recent years, with Britain decriminalising the procedure and France enshrining it in its constitution, Reuters noted.
At the same time, far-right parties that often oppose abortion have gained ground in several countries, turning the issue into a political flashpoint inside EU institutions.
Backers of the initiative include abortion rights groups and lawmakers ranging from the left to the centre-right, who say the fund could reduce unsafe abortions and help those unable to afford treatment abroad.
Analysts expect the measure to pass in Wednesday’s vote, scheduled shortly after midday. The European Commission would then have until March to decide whether to act, though previous citizens’ initiatives have struggled to gain approval.
Sources: Reuters, European Parliament
