Luxembourg Enshrines Right to Abortion in Constitution

Luxembourg has become the second country in the world to enshrine the right to abortion directly in its constitution. The Chamber of Deputies approved the constitutional amendment on 16 June in its second and final reading, with 51 deputies voting in favor, six against and two abstaining, according to the website Idea.

The first vote on the amendment took place on 3 March, with a result of 48 in favor and six against. Under the constitution, a period of at least three months must elapse between the two votes.

The new constitutional article stipulates that the freedom to undergo a voluntary termination of pregnancy is guaranteed, with the conditions for its implementation determined by law. The initiative was proposed by MP Marc Baum of the left-wing party dei Lenk. With this step, Luxembourg follows France, which became the first country in the world to adopt the same measure in 2024.

Luxembourg has a population of nearly 700,000. Abortions have been legal there up to the 12th week of pregnancy since 2012, and parliament last year abolished mandatory counseling and the three-day reflection period, among other measures.

Abortions at later stages of pregnancy are permitted in cases of fatal fetal anomalies or when the mother's life is seriously endangered. Doctors retain the right to refuse to perform the procedure.

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