Thursday, April 13 is a black day for abortion rights in the United States. While the abortion pill is suspended by a Supreme Court decision, a new law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy has been passed by the Florida legislature.

"Today, the Republican-majority Florida legislature sent a new extreme and dangerous law to the office of Governor (Ron) DeSantis to sign," said spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement.

Approved by 70 votes in favor and 40 against by the elected representatives of this southeastern state of the country, the law must indeed be signed by the rising star of the American populist right and possible contender for the White House, Ron DeSantis, who has already indicated his intention to promulgate it.

The entry into force of this ban will make Florida one of the states that most restrict abortion without banning it, since the US Supreme Court, dominated by conservative judges, struck down constitutional protection of abortion in the territory a year ago, leaving the various states free to legislate.

Some exceptions included in the law

This law also marks a new resounding victory for opponents of abortion in the United States, at a time when the future of the abortion pill is threatened, after restrictions on access to this pill decided Thursday by an appeals court.

The only exceptions covered by Florida law are those of a "serious risk" to the woman's health or a lethal abnormality of the fetus, as well as in cases of rape or incest, up to a maximum of 15 weeks of pregnancy.

"This law bans legal abortion, but it won't actually stop abortion. Abortions will simply be performed in private, without medical supervision and with an increased risk to women's health and their physical and mental well-being," said Florida Democrat Lindsay Cross.

Florida had already banned abortion after 2022 weeks of pregnancy in April 15.

With AFP

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