The prime ministers of five European Union countries have called on the European Commission to act on a citizen-led initiative seeking funding to support access to abortion across the bloc.
“No individual should be forced to carry a pregnancy against their will due to legal, financial, geographical, or broader socio-economic barriers that undermine equal access in practice,” the premiers of Denmark, Estonia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden said in a joint letter.
Critics, some from own party, round on Schockmel’s op-ed on abortion
The correspondence — seen by Bloomberg — is addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whose institution is due to respond later on Thursday to the matter.
The citizen initiative, known as “My Voice, My Choice,” has gathered 1.1 million signatures and won backing from the European Parliament, which voted in favour in December. Its organizers are calling for the EU budget to provide financial support to member states willing to offer safe terminations of pregnancy to people across Europe who lack access to safe and legal abortion.
Freedom, not right, to abortion to be added to Luxembourg’s Constitution
Abortion rights vary widely among the EU’s 27 member states. Malta and Poland are among the most restrictive, allowing the procedure only in very limited circumstances, such as when the woman’s life is at risk or in cases of rape. The measure wouldn’t change national laws but would instead create a voluntary, opt-in mechanism open to member states.
“The initiative represents a vital step toward ensuring fundamental rights, dignity, and equality for women across the European Union,” the leaders said. “We therefore urge the European Commission to take steps to define how ‘My Voice, My Choice’ could be implemented in practice.”