What the chancellor is doing is scandalous … that polarizes the country like no other, that is more likely than any other to trigger a completely unnecessary further major socio-political conflict in Germany – Merz
Admin I Friday, November 2024
BERLIN – A group of German lawmakers, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have proposed legislation to legalize abortions during the first three months of pregnancy – provoking outrage from his main conservative challenger Friedrich Merz.
Abortions are currently illegal under Section 218 of the German Criminal Code. In practice, however, abortions are not punished if they are performed during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy and the woman submits to counselling beforehand.
An abortion is also not punished under German law if there are medical reasons or if it is performed following rape.
The abolition of Section 218 has been the subject of debate in German politics for years. The proposal was met with indignant outrage on Friday from the conservative CDU/CSU opposition bloc.
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who is considered the frontrunner to replace Scholz after upcoming early elections, said he was “truly appalled” that Scholz – a centre-left Social Democrat (SPD) – would add his name to such a motion.
“What the chancellor is doing is scandalous,” Merz said, adding that abortion is an issue “that polarizes the country like no other, that is more likely than any other to trigger a completely unnecessary further major socio-political conflict in Germany.”
Under the proposal, abortions up to the 12th week would become legal in Germany. The obligation to undergo counselling would remain in force, but without the current waiting period of three days between counselling and an abortion procedure.
If an abortion is carried out without a counselling certificate, only the doctor would be liable to prosecution in future and the woman would not be subject to punishment.
It is unclear whether the legislation would pass ahead of the early elections expected for February 23, following the collapse last week of Scholz’s governing coalition.
