A new freedom in Luxembourg’s Constitution: Constitutionalizing access to abortion

By Francisco Matos Folgado
10 March 2026

In March 2026, Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies approved the first constitutional vote on a proposal to enshrine the freedom to access abortion in the Constitution. Presented as a measure aimed at strengthening existing protections and safeguarding reproductive autonomy, the initiative forms part of a broader European debate on the constitutional status of abortion rights following recent international developments. This article examines the political and legal context surrounding Constitutional Revision Proposal No. 8379, the debates it has generated within Luxembourg’s institutions and political parties, and the potential legal implications of recognizing access to abortion as a constitutional freedom.

Continued: https://constitutionnet.org/news/voices/new-freedom-luxembourgs-constitution-constitutionalizing-access-abortion

10.03.2026

Commentary

Alternative Democratic Reform Party

Constitutional Revision Proposal No. 8379

enshrining abortion rights in constitution

Francisco Matos Folgado

Luxembourg – The right to free choice

Editorial - The right to free choice
The fight for women's rights remains ongoing - balancing continued demands alongside satisfaction at crucial progress made in Luxembourg.

By Camille Frati, Lex Kleren
09 Mar. 2026

Once again this year, Luxembourg's day of action for women's rights, renamed the "feminist march", drew large numbers of women and also men. It was an opportunity to celebrate a very recent victory: the first vote by the Chamber of Deputies to enshrine the "freedom to have an abortion" in the Constitution – although a second vote will still be required before the summer.

It would certainly have been preferable to guarantee the "right to an abortion", but that was the price of political consensus. Legally, it changes nothing, we are assured. Symbolically, the impression is not the same. For too long, wordplay has surrounded abortion. First came "decriminalisation", instead of "legalisation". Now there is 'freedom', rather than recognition of a fundamental right. This is the kind of nuance and caution that casts doubt on the absence of any debate on abortion in Luxembourg.

Continued: https://journal.lu/en/editorial-right-free-choice

09.03.2026

Luxembourg becomes second country worldwide to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

Large majority in parliament backs amendment to Luxembourg’s highest law, with ‘freedom’ to have an abortion added to constitution

Cordula Schnuer
Mar 3, 2026

Luxembourg lawmakers on Tuesday voted to enshrine the freedom to have an abortion in the country’s constitution. The amendment makes Luxembourg only the second country in the world to protect women’s reproductive rights in its highest laws. France had led the way in 2024 in response to the US Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which had granted access to abortions nationwide.

“We see throughout the world that women’s rights are in the firing line,” said Marc Baum (déi Lénk), adding that populist, right-wing and fascist regimes are wielding their might by exercising power over women. “This vote in the chamber is historic. It’s also about what side of history we are on. It’s whether we are willing and capable to defend out democratic values.”

Continued: https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/luxembourg-becomes-second-country-worldwide-to-enshrine-abortion-rights-in-constitution/138838058.html

03.03.2026

enshrining abortion rights in constitution

What does feminism in Luxembourg mean?

The Grand Duchy granted women suffrage in 1919 and abortion was fully legalised in 2014

Alexandra Thill
15/11/2025

Following a guest article in the Luxemburger Wort by Democratic Party politician Gérard Schockmel, who wrote that feminism aims to “systematically discriminate against men”, gender equality campaigners in the Grand Duchy spoke about what the movement means to them.GENDER

“Feminism is a movement that advocates equality for all genders,” Isabelle Schmoetten who heads the charity Women and Gender in Luxembourg (CID Fraen an Gender) told the Luxemburger Wort.

“Feminism is humanism," said Claudine Speltz from the National Council of Women in Luxembourg (CNFL), an umbrella organisation of different women's organisations. “It's about treating every person in such a way that they can exercise all their rights," she told the Luxemburger Wort.

Continued: https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/what-does-feminism-in-luxembourg-mean/104173755.html

Luxembourg – Critics, some from own party, round on Schockmel’s op-ed on abortion

Democratic Party’s minister for equality and its international section among those who argue MP’s attack on feminism is unjustified

Duncan Roberts
Oct 13, 2025

Democrat Party MP Gérard Schockmel came under fire at the weekend from several quarters, including those from his own party, after the Luxemburger Wort published a guest opinion column he had written on plans to include the freedom to getting an abortion in the Luxembourg constitution.

The opinion piece, titled How feminism dominates the abortion debate, argues that modern feminism is far removed from the fight for women’s rights made by Simone Veil, a French Holocaust survivor who became the first elected president of the European Parliament in 1979.

Continued: https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/critics-some-from-own-party-round-on-schockmel-s-op-ed-on-abortion/96969953.html

13.10.2025

Abortion freedom to be enshrined in Luxembourg’s constitution

Abortion freedom to be enshrined in Luxembourg's constitution
RTL Today
Oct 6, 2025

In recent weeks, lawmakers have debated whether Luxembourg's Constitution should refer to abortion as a right or a freedom.

On Friday, the parliamentary committee on institutions settled the question, with an overwhelming majority of MPs voting in favour of the term "freedom."

As explained by constitutional law expert Luc Heuschling the term offers stronger protection for doctors' freedom of conscience. Under this framework, women have the freedom to request the procedure, while doctors retain the freedom to decline to perform it.

Continued: https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2343852.html

06.10.2025

News

enshrining abortion rights in constitution

Luxembourg – If you oppose abortion, just don’t get one

Enshrining access to abortion in Luxembourg’s constitution would safeguard a human right, says editor-in-chief Cordula Schnuer

Cordula Schnuer, Editor-in-chief
20/09/2025

Luxembourg’s chief Catholic - Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich - has likened enshrining the right to abortion in the constitution to totalitarianism, saying people need to be free to express their opinion in a democratic country and that there are also women who oppose abortion becoming a constitutional right.

Hollerich is free to say this exactly because we live in a democracy. No one is refusing his right to his opinion, which includes believing that even in case of rape or incest women should not seek an abortion.

Continued: https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/if-you-oppose-abortion-just-don-t-get-one/91254221.html

20.09.2025

Opinion

Cordula Schnuer

Jean-Claude Hollerich

Luxembourg – Parliament opens debate on constitutional abortion rights

Céline Eischen – adapted for RTL Today
16.09.2025

Luxembourg's parliamentary process to enshrine abortion rights in the Constitution has begun, with most parties supportive, the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) still undecided, and the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) opposed.

The initiative was tabled by Marc Baum of The Left (déi Lénk), who insisted that abortion rights should be anchored in the Constitution. After the meeting, he said he was willing to work towards compromises and adjust the wording if necessary. With the exception of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), he added, most parties had already clarified their stance.

Continued: https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2337060.html

16.09.2025

News

Carole Hartmann

Christian Social People's Party

LUXEMBOURG’s journey to constitutionalising abortion begins

Loretta Marie Perera
15.09.2025

The next step for enshrining abortion into Luxembourg's constitution kicked off on Monday with a demonstration preceding the first parliamentary meeting on the topic.

On Monday, 15 September, a gathering of around 70 people took off outside the Chamber of Deputies. Through unrelenting rain, attendees included party members from the Left, the Greens, and LSAP as well as representatives of organisations including OGBL and Amnesty International.

Continued: https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2336878.html

LUXEMBOURG – Healthcare rights are not political extremism

Written by Jana Degrott
Published on 15.09.2025

Cardinal Hollerich’s recent statements opposing constitutional protection for abortion access fundamentally misunderstand the nature of healthcare rights and constitutional protection.

The cardinal suggests that constitutional protection is unnecessary since abortion is already legal in Luxembourg. However, legal access without constitutional protection leaves medical care vulnerable to political shifts and legal uncertainties that can prove fatal. The tragic cases across Europe demonstrate this clearly:

Continued: https://delano.lu/article/healthcare-rights-are-not-political-extremism

15.09.2025