CDA MP Hilde Palland fears that women may be able to make a hasty decision if there is no longer a minimum cooling-off period of five days, for example because they are under pressure from their partner or family. She emphasizes that the choice to have an abortion is up to the woman, within a “careful procedure.” According to her, a minimum cooling-off period is “inextricably linked.” According to Bikker, the reflection period “expresses” the “field of tension” between the autonomy of the woman and the rights of the unborn child.
Patronizing
The views of the ChristenUnie and the CDA clash with the views of the submitting parties. They find the time limiting. “Women do not take the decision lightly,” says D66 MP Wieke Paulusma. VVD party leader Sophie Hermans sees the value of a reflection period, but according to her it does not necessarily have to be five days. “For some women, the process is already over. Other women have yet to start and may need ten days.” The PvdA and GroenLinks also point out that the period that women agree with their doctor may be longer than five days, because this period is becoming flexible.
The criticism of the two Christian coalition parties is not unexpected and will probably not stand in the way of the bill. In the coalition negotiations between VVD, D66, CDA and CU, it was agreed that such medical-ethical subjects are so-called ‘free issues’ in the House. This means that every MP can make his own assessment of whether to vote for or against and does not have to follow the line of the group. Last February, the House already expressed its wish to cancel the mandatory reflection period of five days.
Next week the initiators will speak to answer questions that were put to them during the debate. The bill is likely to be voted on the following week.