Norway's administrative authority has approved terminations of pregnancies within the initial 18 weeks.
Norway's Left-Leaning Administration Presents Plan for Expanded Abortion Rights. The administration led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, a social democrat, revealed on Friday their intention to ensure "the autonomy of pregnant individuals and safeguard their liberties." At present, the legal timeframe for terminations in Norway, similar to Germany, extends only up to 12 weeks.
However, this proposed expansion has sparked disagreements within the government, comprising Støre's Labor Party and the Center Party: The Center Party has declared their intent to "maintain the existing 12-week limit for guaranteeing autonomy."
The legislation demands a minimum of 85 affirmative votes in parliament to be enacted. As per Norwegian news agency NTB, at least 80 legislators currently endorse the lengthening of the limit.
The present Norwegian abortion legislation originates from 1978. The newly proposed version will grant women the liberty to decrease the number of fetuses in multiple pregnancies until the 18th week, which, in essence, would qualify as an abortion.
In the western European region, the longest abortion timeframes can be found in the UK and the Netherlands, reaching 24 weeks. In Germany, terminations are permitted within the initial 12 weeks of conception.
So far, the administration's proposal to extend the abortion timeframe beyond 12 weeks has garnered support from at least 80 legislators. However, the Center Party, a governmental partner, has expressed its intention to maintain the existing 12-week limit.
