Friday, 27 February 2026
By Mose Apelblat
The European Commission gave a positive reply on Thursday to the initiative ‘My Voice, My Choice: For safe and accessible abortion’, which reached about 1.2 million verified signatures last year.
To be successful, a European Citizens' Initiative, which is the EU’s main instrument for participative democracy, must reach one million statements of support as well as minimum thresholds in at least seven Member States.
Countries may need to amend an existing fund to use it to support women who wish to travel to access abortion within the EU.
February 26, 2026
By Claudia Chiappa
BRUSSELS — The European Commission will not set up a new financing scheme to expand abortion access in Europe, rejecting a proposal backed by nearly 1.2 million European citizens.
The Commission, however, said countries could use an existing fund to help women pay for abortion services — something activists behind the campaign described as a “victory.” But first, some countries may need to amend programs covered by this fund.
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