The European Parliament approved by 378 votes to 255 with 42 abstentions the report by Predrag Fred Matić (S&D, Croatia) on Thursday 24 June, calling for the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU. This is symbolic, after the European right-wing’s blow to the Edite Estrela report in 2013.
“I am proud that the majority of our house recognises that in the 21st century we must no longer treat women as second-class citizens, but respect their feelings and freedoms, and make sure all women across Europe get the access to healthcare they deserve”, the rapporteur said after the vote.
The adopted text calls on Member States to decriminalise abortion and to remove the obstacles and difficulties that many women in the EU still face in accessing abortion.
“15 million women in Europe still do not have access to safe and legal abortion”, insisted Irène Tolleret (France), rapporteur for the Renew Europe group, in the debate ahead of the vote. Restricting abortion “only makes it clandestine, unprotected, and dangerous for physical and psychological health”, insisted Sandra Pereira (Portugal), representative of The Left.
The report also makes a series of recommendations to governments on issues such as sex education, period poverty, and access to fertility treatment. Several provisions also target the European Commission. This latter has been asked, for example, to develop common standards for maternity care, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Headwind from the right
As in 2013, the three most right-wing groups in the House overwhelmingly opposed the report and mobilised to block it. The ECR as well as the EPP, at the last minute, presented their own alternative resolutions. Both were rejected by the plenary. The ECR also called for a motion to declare the Matić report inadmissible. It was unsuccessful.
During the debate, Simona Baldassarre (Italy), rapporteur for the ID group, denounced a “divisive ideological report”. On behalf of the EPP, Irish MEP Frances Fitzgerald took a more nuanced view, explaining that her group was bothered by the text’s incompatibility with the principle of subsidiarity and with “freedom of conscience”.
However, it was the issue of abortion that mainly crystallised the tensions, as a large part of the European right remained opposed to it.
The report has also been the target of a massive opposition campaign by anti-abortion movements across the EU. This campaign has been denounced by many speakers in the plenary, including the rapporteur who was its main target (see EUROPE 12745/7).
While many welcomed the outcome of the vote, many MEPs were concerned about the rise of ultraconservative movements, particularly in Parliament. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)