Dutch Lower House votes for abortion pill via GPs
The abortion pill might be available at the GP instead of the abortion clinic. Photo ANP, Phil Horvat
Western Europe
The Dutch Lower House of Parliament has agreed that the abortion pill should also be available through General Practitioners. A majority of MPs supported a private member’s bill to make this possible.
Currently, the abortion pill can only be given by an abortion clinic. The secular Liberal and Socialist parties submitted a proposal to change this. They see it as progress to lower the threshold to pregnancy termination.
Together, the parties have 75 seats, just short of a majority. During a roll-call vote, 106 MPs voted in favour of the proposal and 24 against.
The private member’s bill must still go through the Upper House. Since abortion is a free issue, members can vote according to their conscience. Among GPs, there is some doubt whether this is really a step forward.
Just weeks ago, the Lower House voted to eliminate the five days of reflection time before the abortion.
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