“With such a clear opinion, the text should pass smoothly the course of the plenary: the Council of State clarifies that the proposal is part of the freedom of the legislator and that there is no legal obstacle to legalize abortion. There is nothing to prevent the text from coming to plenary this Thursday March 5, 2020” she added.

“A few days before Women’s Rights Day, this would be a more than symbolic step forward (…) This proposal is a great advance for women and society. It is the strengthening and protection of the fundamental right of each woman to decide over her body,” she sadded.

In the French speaking ranks, the (former) Christian Democrats are the only party to oppose the text. The head of the group, Catherine Fonck, expressed her disapproval with the new proposition of law.

“The Council of State gives a legal opinion but it is only a legal opinion. From the beginning, our objection is political: the question is to know if the fetus is only a part of the body of the woman, on which she has all power, but for us, the more the pregnancy progresses, the more we consider that the fetus has an existence independent of the mother and that from a certain stage, it must be given protection. with the extension of the delay, we are approaching the threshold of viability. Between a 12 weeks ols fetus (current threshold) and a fetus of almost 5 months, there is already a neurological development “, Fonck explained.

In the Flemish ranks, the three main political forces (N-VA, Vlaams Belang and Cd&V) rejected this controversial text.

Source: levif.be