French Senate backs enshrining right to abortion in constitution
The French Senate has overwhelmingly voted to enshrine women’s right to abortion in the constitution.
The proposal was backed by 267 votes to 50 on Wednesday.
Abortion has been legal in France since 1974 but pressure has grown to further cement it in law.
There is concern that the right to abortion is being eroded in ally nations like the US and Poland.
Emmanuel Macron has called a special, repeat vote on Monday involving both houses meeting together away from Paris in the suburb of Versailles.
If the joint session approves the constitutional amendment with a majority of at least three-fifths, there will be no need to put it to a referendum.
A poll taken in November 2022 suggested 86% of people supported the amendment.