What's happened
A government-appointed commission in Germany has recommended legalizing abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy, a move that could lead to a significant shift in the country's abortion laws. This recommendation comes after similar moves in other European countries, such as France enshrining access to abortion in its constitution. In Poland, lawmakers have voted to work on proposals to ease the country's strict abortion laws.
Why it matters
The recommendation to legalize abortion in Germany could mark a significant shift in the country's abortion laws, potentially sparking a long-overdue debate on the issue. This move aligns Germany more closely with other European countries and reflects changing attitudes towards abortion rights. The decision in Poland to work on proposals to ease abortion restrictions also signals a potential shift in one of Europe's most restrictive abortion laws.
What the papers say
The New York Times highlights the growing divide in Germany over abortion, with anti-abortion activists pushing for a complete ban while most conservatives and the Roman Catholic Church support the current status quo. The Independent emphasizes the progressive nature of Germany's government coalition in considering the legalization of abortion, contrasting it with the more restrictive laws in Poland and the recent constitutional guarantee of abortion rights in France.
How we got here
Abortion in Germany is technically illegal but broadly permitted in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy under certain conditions. Chancellor Olaf Scholz established a commission to provide recommendations on abortion, egg donations, and surrogacy, with the recent recommendation on abortion potentially leading to a significant shift in the country's laws. In Poland, the traditionally Roman Catholic country has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, with recent efforts to ease these restrictions gaining momentum.
More on these topics
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Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central and Western Europe. Covering an area of 357,022 square kilometres, it lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south.
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Olaf Scholz is a German politician serving as Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor under Chancellor Angela Merkel since 14 March 2018.