Green chairwoman Nadia Naji asks CD&V to come up with “a decent proposal to relax the abortion term”. Groen and the other Vivaldi parties want to allow abortion up to 18 weeks instead of the current 12 weeks, but CD&V does not want to go beyond 14 weeks. “I fully understand if they find it ethically difficult to vote this way, but do not block a rotating majority.”
It is a discussion that dates back to the formation of the federal government. All Vivaldi parties already wanted to extend the term for abortion from 12 to 18 weeks now, except CD&V chairman Joachim Coens. He had it stated in the coalition agreement that decisions on ethical issues could only be made by consensus, but he did agree to a study and evaluation of the abortion law by experts. That expert report unanimously proposed extending the legal period to 18 weeks. But CD&V did not agree with this and proposed a relaxation to 14 weeks, because the fetus can still be removed until then via suction curettage and no delivery or other techniques are required.
A second majority meeting today, organized by the Greens, again ended in failure: CD&V maintains its position.
But a second majority meeting today, organized by the Greens, again ended in failure: CD&V maintains its position. At the beginning of this year, socialists and liberals increased the public pressure. Now Groen chairman Nadia Naji is also openly begging CD&V to compromise. “Come up with a serious counter-proposal, so that we can do something for these women. I am prepared to look at this with an open mind.” But the other Vivaldi parties and also Naji consider the 14-week proposal that CD&V is arguing with insufficient. “The abortion centers have also said that this is not a solution.”
Vulnerable women
The fact that there is talk about relaxing the abortion period is mainly due to the fact that hundreds of – often vulnerable – women cross the border every year to have an abortion. But according to CD&V, by increasing the period to 14 weeks, half of the women could be treated in their own country.
If CD&V does not agree with this relaxation for ethical reasons, Naji will ask them to allow a rotating majority. That’s a question, not a threat, she emphasizes. In theory, there is a large majority in parliament in favor of the relaxation: PVDA-PTB and Les Engagés – the former CDH – are also in favor. But delaying maneuvers are always possible by seeking additional advice from the Council of State. With N-VA and Vlaams Belang – who are also against – included, CD&V will have enough seats to request such advice. Without CD&V, N-VA and Vlaams Belang are powerless. “I would therefore especially like to ask CD&V not to block our proposal.”
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