German Parliament Debates Reform of Abortion Law

Proposed changes to Paragraph 218 aim to decriminalize abortion in the first trimester, but face opposition and uncertain legislative prospects.

A group of 328 lawmakers from SPD, Greens, and Left Party have introduced a proposal to reform Paragraph 218, which currently criminalizes abortion but allows exceptions within the first 12 weeks under specific conditions.
The proposed changes would legalize abortion in the first trimester, remove the mandatory three-day waiting period after counseling, and ensure the procedure is covered by health insurance.
Supporters argue the reform is necessary to address the declining availability of abortion services and to uphold women's rights to bodily autonomy, citing broad public support for changes to the law.
Opposition from CDU, CSU, and AfD frames the proposal as a threat to the protection of unborn life, with critics accusing proponents of rushing the issue for political gain before upcoming elections.
The proposal's future remains uncertain, as it requires additional support from FDP lawmakers and procedural hurdles in the Bundestag before it can advance to a vote.