On the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion’

B100560/2025

European Parliament resolution on the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion’

(2025/3007(RSP))

– having regard to the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion’ (ECI(2024)000004),

– having regard to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1158 of 10 April 2024 on the request for registration, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion’,

– having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and in particular Article 1 (on human dignity) and Article 2 (on the right to life) thereof,

– having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), and in particular Articles 2, 4(2) and 5 thereof on the respect for national identities and on the principles of conferral and subsidiarity,

– having regard to Article 168(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which provides that ‘Union action shall respect the responsibilities of the Member States for the definition of their health policy and the organisation of health services’,

– having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, and in particular Article 2 thereof, which provides that ‘everyone’s right to life shall be protected by law’,

– having regard to the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, in particular the judgment of 8 July 2004 in the case of Vo v France (Application no 53924/00), which confirms that the question of the legal status of prenatal life falls within the margin of appreciation of the Member States,

– having regard to Rule 228(8) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas motherhood should be regarded as a source of empowerment, not limitation, and whereas recognising women’s capacity to nurture and protect life is a powerful affirmation of their identity, dignity and resilience; whereas motherhood makes an essential contribution to society;

B. whereas under Articles 6 and 168 TFEU, the EU’s role in health policy is limited to supporting, coordinating or supplementing Member State action, while Member States retain full responsibility for health policy, the organisation and delivery of health services, and the allocation of health sector resources;

C. whereas abortion legislation is a matter that falls within the exclusive competence of the Member States; whereas women deserve better than abortion, as it often reflects a lack of adequate support for pregnant women; whereas Member States should create conditions – such as workplace flexibility, accessible healthcare and parental leave – that enable women to embrace both family life and professional fulfilment;

D. whereas the demographic situation of the EU is a serious long-term challenge, as the EU continues to record one of the lowest birth rates in the world, and requires measures that promote family support, intergenerational solidarity and a sustainable demographic future for Europe;

E. whereas the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ European citizens’ initiative proposes the establishment of a financial mechanism within the multiannual financial framework to support Member States that can give women from other countries access to abortion services, despite the limits imposed by Article 5(2) TEU on the EU’s competence and the requirement that all EU expenditure have a valid legal basis in the Treaty;

1. Reaffirms that the EU has no competence to harmonise national legislation on abortion or to impose obligations on Member States regarding the provision, regulation or financing of abortion services, in accordance with Article 168(7) TFEU and the principle of conferral under Article 5 TEU; rejects any proposal to establish an EU-level funding mechanism for abortion services and any attempt to characterise abortion as an EU-funded entitlement, given the absence of a legal basis under Articles 6 and 168 TFEU;

2. Calls on the Commission to conclude that the proposals of the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ European citizens’ initiative fall outside EU competence;

3. Considers that, while abortion remains a sensitive and complex issue, it should not be used or promoted as a regular means of birth control; considers comprehensive family planning, responsible education and access to modern contraception to be important; notes that Member States provide for different legal frameworks, including specific exceptions in cases such as rape, incest or risks to the woman’s life or health;

4. Recalls that decisions on the financing of healthcare services fall within the responsibility of the Member States in accordance with Article 168(7) TFEU; believes that abortions performed when there are no exceptional grounds should not be financed by public funds, as taxpayer money should be used in a manner that is consistent with the principles of subsidiarity, human dignity and respect for differing national approaches;

5. Calls on the Member States to ensure that no woman should be coerced, directly or indirectly, into terminating a pregnancy because of social, financial or family pressure, and calls for better support services to enable women to continue pregnancies if they so choose;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.