Millions of citizens call for European financial support for access to safe abortion

“Today we are making history: for the first time, the European Commission is required to put the issue of the right to abortion on the political agenda through a citizens’ initiative,” said Nika Kovač, coordinator of the “My Voice, My Choice” campaign, on Monday at a press conference near the Berlaymont building.

Abortion is a national competence, and member states have varying laws. In a country like Malta, for example, voluntary termination of pregnancy is strictly prohibited. The initiative does not aim to enforce a right to abortion at the European level. The goal is to provide financial support to member states that voluntarily participate in a policy that offers safe abortion care to anyone who does not have access to it.

Organizers of a European citizens’ initiative have one year to collect 1 million signatures in at least 7 member states. According to the Commission, “My Voice, My Choice” gathered 1.125 million and reached the minimum threshold in 19 member states, including Belgium with 18,313 signatures. It has thus become the twelfth successful citizens’ initiative.

The Commission has until March 2, 2026, to take a position. The executive body of the European Union is not obliged to take action, but it must explain why not. The Commission made it clear again on Monday that it is only competent to consider the initiative insofar as it does not aim to undermine national legislation in the field of healthcare.