Abortion Legislation Debate

During recent debate from the lower house of the German Parliamant, called the Bundestag, members had to reach a compromise on the provisions of a new abortion law. Before German unification, the old Federal Republic of Germany had restrictive regulations ruling abortion, whereas East Germany allowed all women to have an abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. In 1992, the government and opposition parties passed compromise legislation which was rejected by the German Supreme Court. During this recent session of parliament, members reached a new compromise, which allows for abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy after the woman consults with a doctor. Abortion is legal for victums of rape or if the embryo is severely damaged. Family members who force the pregnant woman to have an abotion or who deny their help will be criminally punished. close