The possible extension of the deadline for abortion, up to the 14th week of pregnancy against the 12 provided for in the law, agitated the National Assembly.
But the key provision of the text was voted on Thursday during a turbulent meeting.
MEPs voted at noon on Thursday in favor of extending the legal deadline for resorting to abortion, a key provision of a bill on which the government is showing caution in the face of a stronger majority.
However, this is only a first reading examination and the government seems to want to procrastinate.
Against the backdrop of often heated debates, the deputies voted in favor of extending the legal period of access to abortion from 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, contained in article 1 of the text, by 102 votes against 65.
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Supported by the member of the EDS group (Ecology, democracy, solidarity) and ex-LREM Albane Gaillot, the text obtained the support of the majority and follows a parliamentary report by the Assembly's delegation for women's rights which advocated This measure.
One hundred and sixteen amendments have been tabled.
"It is a balanced text, of consensus, which responds to long-standing requests from actors in the field and especially women", she explained, referring to "collective and transpartisan work".
Olivier Véran successively applauded and booed
The government, through the voice of the Minister of Solidarity and Health, has asserted a "position of wisdom" on the whole of a text of which it regrets the method.
"It's a sensitive topic," he said.
Applauded or booed, Olivier Véran recalled that it was essential to await the opinion of the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE), which the government seized on Tuesday, "to do a complete job" and to enlighten the debates.
The latter must deliver its opinion in November.
"Sometimes the best is the enemy of the good", argued the minister.
"Fortunately you are there", we congratulated on the benches of the right opposed to the text.
Because the LREM group has chosen to emancipate itself from the government position and mainly supports the EDS bill.
Of the 74 walking deputies present at the time of the vote on Article 1, 56 voted in favor, 12 against, six abstained.
The deputies of the presidential party voted almost in unison to reject the amendments to delete Article 1.
"We are waiting for women to be able to experience their access to abortion as they wish. The obstacles continue in our country," said MP for Yvelines, Aurore Bergé.
The abortion rate increased slightly in 2019, with more than 232,000 abortions performed in France, reaching its highest level in thirty years, according to an official study.