French Assembly backs legal abortion
The French National Assembly has voted to adopt permanently a controversial abortion bill which had run a five-year trial period in the predominantly Roman Catholic country. The vote came after four days of lengthy and at times acrimonious debate. The bill must be approved by the Senate — a Constitutional formality — before becoming law. The vote of 271 to 201 approved legislation which
permits abortion in the first .10 weeks of pregnancy. It stipulates that a doctor un-; willing to perform an abortion must provide his patient with full details on the operation’s availability. The bill also substantially increases fines and possible' prison sentences for anyone convicted of performing illegal abortions. The latest vote was closer than in 1974 when the trial legislation was passed by 284 votes to 189. Govern-
ment supporters backing the bill were joined by 200 Communist and Socialist parliamentarians. Many members of the Government coalition voted against the legislation, including the former Gaullist Prime Minister, Jacques Chi- - ■ rac. The Gaullist leader, with his eye on the presidential elections 18 months away, Isgid he had backed the trial legislation but could not in good conscience support the present bill.
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Press, 3 December 1979, Page 8
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197French Assembly backs legal abortion Press, 3 December 1979, Page 8
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