Paris: France has become the first country in the world to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution. A majority of members of Parliament voted to repeal the 1958 Constitution. It was passed by 780 votes to 72 in a joint session of both the Houses of Parliament.
President Emmanuel Macron described the move as 'French pride'. After the bill was passed, celebrations started in and around the Eiffel Tower with slogans of 'My Body, My Decision' being raised.
Abortion has been legal in France since 1975, but polls show 85 percent of the public support amending the constitution to protect abortion as a right. France's move comes as the U.S. and some European countries move to remove legal protections for abortion.
The constitutional change in France was prompted by recent developments in the US, where the Supreme Court removed the right to abortion in 2022.
While France's move was widely applauded, the Vatican reiterated its opposition. No one has the right to take human life, the Vatican said in a statement.