The European Union has agreed to examine a petition that calls for facilitating safe access to abortion for all European women, after the initiative collected over 1 million signatures. The petition, titled “My Voice, My Choice: For Safe And Accessible Abortion,” aims to pressure the European Commission to support abortion rights across the EU. Currently, while abortion is liberalized in most EU countries, some nations like Malta and Poland have strict restrictions, resulting in over 20 million women lacking access to safe abortion care.
The European Commission will review the petition despite having no direct competence in the field of abortion, as Article 168.7 of the Treaty states that member states are responsible for defining their health policies and organizing health services. However, the Commission can allocate funds to support women seeking abortions in member states where it is allowed. This potential solution could help address the issue of limited access to safe abortion care, particularly in countries with strict laws.
The petition’s success has sparked discussion about the EU’s role in promoting reproductive rights. Some argue that the Commission is using a “legal trick” to circumvent restrictions and provide support for abortion access. In contrast, others believe that this initiative could help make a significant difference in the lives of women across the EU. The European Parliament has previously voted in favor of considering abortion a fundamental European right, although implementing such a policy would require unanimous agreement among national capitals.
