SW News: The abortion debate has once again surfaced in Belgium with the government discussing whether to increase the abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks. This move has divided political parties adding momentum to the debate.

Belgium’s Socialist Party brought a bill in Parliament that was signed by deputies from eight parties. It seeks the extension of the limit for abortion up to 18 weeks. But the bill is opposed by the Christian Democratic and Flemish Party, the New Flemish Alliance and the Vlaams Belang Party.

The Belgian government is currently discussing whether to raise the abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks in a move that has divided political parties, including within the governing coalition.

Abortion has been permitted in the country since 1990 under certain pre-determined conditions. At present, the law states that a pregnancy can be eliminated before the end of the 12th week after conception. A woman seeking an abortion has to wait for six days before being given the mandate to undergo the procedure.

The Christian Democratic and Flemish Party refused to allow any relaxation to the law during the previous government. Ever since it became part of the current ruling coalition in 2020, it favors the proposal to expand the abortion limit provided a proper study is conducted before debating the bill in Parliament.

The study was launched in October 2021 and its results were published on March 10. It was undertaken by 35 experts including doctors, psychologists and lawyers among others. Spanning 300 pages, the report has 25 recommendations for politicians and it was submitted before Parliament on April 18.

Experts suggest that the time limit for abortion should be raised from 12 weeks to 18 or even 20. They also want the compulsory time period of reflection for women seeking an abortion to be scrapped. The experts also want the complete decriminalization of abortion. Christian Democrats want the extension of the time limit to 14 weeks. However, in cases of rape or incest, it has to be done away with.