German Parliament Fails to Advance Abortion Law Reform Before Election
A proposed bill to decriminalize abortion and amend Paragraph 218 stalls after a contentious hearing, leaving its future uncertain.
- A proposed reform to decriminalize abortion in Germany, backed by SPD, Greens, and Left Party, will not be voted on before the Bundestag election.
- The bill sought to make abortions legal within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, funded by public health insurance, while maintaining a counseling requirement without a mandatory waiting period.
- Opposition from CDU, AfD, and a divided FDP prevented further parliamentary progress, with critics citing constitutional concerns over fetal rights.
- Supporters, including activists and legal experts, argued the reform aligns with constitutional protections for women's rights and reflects public opinion favoring decriminalization.
- A public hearing revealed deep divisions among experts and lawmakers, with some viewing the proposal as a historic step forward and others as undermining protections for unborn life.
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