Several political parties in Germany are calling for the repeal of Paragraph 218 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits abortions. Proponents argue the existing law stigmatizes women seeking abortions and hinders access to care, particularly in southern and western Germany.
The Social Democrats (SPD) propose removing abortion from the criminal code, allowing it to be legal and accessible up to the twelfth week of pregnancy and ensuring coverage by statutory health insurance. They highlight that abortion is the most frequently performed medical procedure on women and that addressing societal stigma is crucial.
The Green Party also advocates for repeal, citing the Elsa Study which revealed widespread societal stigmatization of women facing unwanted pregnancies. They argue that the current law perpetuates this stigma and limits the availability of qualified doctors due to a lack of comprehensive training integrated into gynecological education.
The Left Party echoes these demands, questioning why further evidence is needed to empower women and improve healthcare access. They believe abortion should be a standard part of healthcare services and criticize the influence of the Catholic Church, particularly its refusal to provide abortion services in publicly funded hospitals based on ideological grounds.
Conversely, the Christian Social Union (CSU) defends the existing mandatory counseling requirement, viewing it as a safe space for women to address their concerns. They maintain that the current regulations adequately protect unborn life and warn that dismantling the established framework could reignite a polarized debate and further burden women seeking help. The Federal Ministry of Health appears to share this perspective and currently sees no need for action.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) firmly opposes any repeal, citing a 1993 Federal Constitutional Court ruling emphasizing the protection of unborn life. They maintain that abortion should not be normalized and emphasize a moral responsibility towards the developing fetus.
