The Belgian Parliament passed an emergency set of abortion-related legislative propositions on Thursday.
Last year, an expert group advocated for extending the legal limit for voluntary termination of pregnancy from 12 to 18 weeks post-conception, and eliminating the mandatory consideration period.
Efforts to amend the 1990 law are due to several reasons, including the hundreds of women choosing to abort in the Netherlands annually where legislation is more liberal.
In the wake of the recent federal elections in June, the Socialist Party (PS), PTB, Ecolo-Groen and Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats filed documents echoing recommendations made by the parliament-appointed group of experts during the previous legislature.
“Women have the right to make choices about their life and body. The experts’ findings are clear, hence our request to resume legislative work,” Sarah Schlitz from Ecolo-Groen, commented.
Supported by the socialists, ecologists, liberals, the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB) and DéFI, the decision followed a sit-and-stand voting process. The Flemish Christian-Democratic party (CD&V), New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) opposed, while The Engagés remained neutral.
