A group of German MPs, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, proposed legalization of abortions in the first three months of pregnancy. This sparked outrage from the main political opponent of the Social Democratic chancellor – conservative Friedrich Merz, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Abortions are currently illegal in Germany under the Penal Code. In practice, however, they are not punishable if they are carried out within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and the woman has undergone a preliminary consultation with a specialist.
According to German law, abortion is also not punishable if there is a medical reason or the pregnancy is the result of rape.
Debates about abortion have been a hot topic in German politics for years, DPA notes.
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) expressed sharp criticism of the bill. Merz, who is considered the main contender for the chancellor post, said he was “truly appalled” that Scholz supported such a decision.
„What the chancellor is doing is scandalous”, emphasized Mertz. He added that the topic of abortion is an issue that “polarizes the country like nothing else” and could lead to unnecessary socio-political conflicts in Germany.
Under the proposal, abortions would be legal up to the 12th week of pregnancy. The obligation for prior consultation will remain in force, but the previous three-day waiting period between the consultation and the procedure will be removed.
In the event that the abortion is performed without the necessary document for a completed consultation, in the future only the doctor will be held criminally liable, and the woman will not be prosecuted by the law.
It is not yet clear whether the bill will be passed before the election scheduled for February 23.