In Norway, five MPs can decide about 12 or 18 weeks for abortion

The Norwegian parliament is almost 50-50 divided about a longer abortion term. Currently, that is 12 weeks. There is a strong desire for prolonging this.

The Christian daily Vårt Land has reported that supporters and opponents are almost evenly divided. Five votes are decisive.

The prolongation of the abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks was part of the election campaign in 2021 already. It is very likely that the Storting, the Norwegian parliament, will decide about that during this term.

Coalition is not united

In the parliament, 80 representatives belong to parties that support a longer abortion time (Labour, Socialist Left, Green, Liberal and Red). In the chamber of 169 seats, 85 members are necessary to change the law. That means that the progressive parties are still short five votes.

It is possible that these five votes come from the Centre Party, the Conservatives and the Progress Party. These groups have been supporting the current period of 12 weeks. Still, some individual members might take the freedom to vote alternatively. Members are free to vote according to their conscience on ethical issues.

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Some representatives of these remaining parties have verbally supported prolonging the abortion period. But it is not sure whether they would vote for that.

Also, the government coalition is not united on this issue. The Labour Party has pleaded for a prolongation, the coalition partner Centre Party wants to preserve the current legislation. The coalition has promised a committee to study this issue.

The Norwegian abortion law from 1978 provides a free abortion limit for 12 weeks. After this, a special board can grant an abortion. But for this, the mother has to speak with this board. Some parties find this humiliating for women.