The Norwegian administration is advocating for the permissibility of terminations later in pregnancy.
Despite a lack of agreement within Norway's center-left administration on the matter, they're advocating for the possibility of terminations up to the 18th week of pregnancy in the near future. The chances of this legislation being approved by parliament aren't insignificant, as suggested.
The government, spearheaded by Labour Party Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, argues that this move is necessary to "uphold the right to personal autonomy of pregnant individuals and safeguard their liberties." Currently, like in Germany, the legal cut-off for terminations in Norway is 12 weeks.
The proposed expansion of the limit has sparked contentious debates within the administration, which is a coalition of the Labour Party and the Centre Party. The Centre Party has expressed their intent to preserve the 12-week limit for personal autonomy.
Amendment in limiting the embryos as well
For the bill to secure passage in parliament, a simple majority of 85 votes out of 169 is required. According to Norwegian news agency NTB, at least 80 parliamentarians currently endorse the proposed extension of the limit.
The revised Norwegian abortion law, dating back to 1978, would permit women to decrease the number of embryos in a multiple pregnancy up to the 18th week, which would be construed as an abortion.
In Western Europe, the UK and the Netherlands have the longest abortion limits at 24 weeks. Germany, meanwhile, prohibits abortions under Section 218 of the Criminal Code, but only carries punishment for terminations in the first 12 weeks if the woman fails to seek counseling prior to the procedure. Absence of punishment is also the case if there are medical reasons or in instances of rape. The elimination of this paragraph has been a subject of discussion for years.
The Labour Party, along with the government, strongly believes in extending women's rights by advocating for the expansion of the abortion limit to 18 weeks, citing the importance of personal autonomy and liberties. Despite opposition from the Centre Party, which wants to maintain the current 12-week limit, the support for this amendment in parliament is substantial.
