NationStates Jolt Archive

Is it true that they are bringing in a new law which will make all EU member states have to legalise abortion? Meaning that Portugal, Ireland, Malta and Poland will be forced to legalise it?

I've heard this but have been unable to find anything which confirms or denies it. Do any of you guys know?

I dont think so, all the tabloids would be using this as another reason to pull out of Europe if they were

I only found newspaper articles on it that address it indirectly.

Two being: http://www.indcatholicnews.com/polmalt.html (which gives the idea that there is an abortion law)

and

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3226677.stm (which implies that many are trying to ban Abortion using anti-Eugenics clauses in the charter.)

I dont think so, all the tabloids would be using this as another reason to pull out of Europe if they were

What...tabloids in Britain or tabloids in the countries that I stated?! Because, if it is Britain, the tabloids wouldn't be able to use that as abortion is legal in Britain.

there are too many strong catholic nations in the EU for this to ever be passed

I dont think so, all the tabloids would be using this as another reason to pull out of Europe if they were

What...tabloids in Britain or tabloids in the countries that I stated?! Because, if it is Britain, the tabloids wouldn't be able to use that as abortion is legal in Britain.

Britain but they would cite it as Brussles forcing countrys to change there laws

I haven't heard anything about this type of law, CE, and to be honest with you, I don't think the EU has the guts to put a law like that into practice within the confines of the EU. Or if they do it, they'll have to do it like they did the currency, and make it voluntary, which makes it pretty much invalid as legislation.

there are too many strong catholic nations in the EU for this to ever be passed

Well, that's what I was hoping but the Eu can force you to pretty much do anthing and the countries that this would affect - Poland, Portugal, Ireland and Malta, really have very little influence within the EU.

Well, from what people have been saying it does seem like it is not true...perhaps they were considering doing it. Let's just hope they don't.

I doubt the EU would risk annoying Poland at this early stage in its membership. There might be some sort of understanding in a few years, but nothing in the forseeable future.

Ireland has the presidency at the moment and I can't see them accepting a law like that.

I doubt the EU would risk annoying Poland at this early stage in its membership. There might be some sort of understanding in a few years, but nothing in the forseeable future.

But Poland isn't really that much of a player in the EU. France and Germany and Belgium, all very liberal on abortion, are the ones who 'control' this sort of thing and the other main players are also liberal on abortion.

If the EU wanted to do it Poland would have no choice but to comply because of the conomic power of the EU...unless it left and became isolated and poorer.

Tell me if I am wrong, but I thought most of the EU principles/laws were pertaining to interstate commerce, defense, etc. It seems that an item such as abortion would be a state based law, with Poland's laws potentially varying from that of France, Germany, etc. The EU Nations have not given up their sovereignty (yet) and sure they share a common currency, but have not taken the additional steps to become one nation. Thus, I don't personally think a law such as that could exist. Then again, I am not in an EU country, so I could be mistaken. 8)

it can't possibly be true...that would be far too awesome.

I doubt the EU would risk annoying Poland at this early stage in its membership. There might be some sort of understanding in a few years, but nothing in the forseeable future.

But Poland isn't really that much of a player in the EU. France and Germany and Belgium, all very liberal on abortion, are the ones who 'control' this sort of thing and the other main players are also liberal on abortion.

If the EU wanted to do it Poland would have no choice but to comply because of the conomic power of the EU...unless it left and became isolated and poorer.

Wasn't it recently when Poland and Spain were holding out against the EU (over the constitution iirc, but cannot be sure)? It was quite successful, until Spain complied, which effectively forced Poland to. But on the issue of abortion, the predominantly Catholic countries could probably hold out against the EU with some success.

To Danmarc; It started that way but the alleged abortion law will probably be put in as a futherment of civil rights, rightly or wrongly. This is why Britain is no longer allowed to execute traitors. That is, if there is a proposle (and this is the only place where I have heard about it).

The EU does get involved in some social legislation, such as its firm stance against the death penalty. That is just one of the things Turkey and any other country would have to give up in order to have any hope of admittance. But abortion is too contentious an issue to force on new members while there is still so much negotiation to do. Poland for example may not be a significant power in Europe, but annoying the hell out of it right after it joins over something that can wait a few years would be poor diplomacy, and if there is one thing the EU hates, it's poor diplomacy.

I don't think the EU can impose a law like that on a country, wouldn't Poland, Ireland, Malta and Portugal have the right to hold referendums? We're having a referendum over keeping the pound and a countries right to legalise/illegalise abortion would surely be on the same sort of scale as that, to find out what the people of the individual countries really want.

This isn't only a question of annoying the new kid, eg Poland & Malta, or the soon-to-arrive like Turkey. It is also going to annoy more established members such as Ireland, Italy and Spain plus significant amounts of people in countries with large Catholic populations (for example). I doubt Europe will dare do anything this adventurous and will stick to boring stuff like, what is chocolate?

I think the EU holds some very powerful cards in terms of consolidated currency and trade. They might have enough to force some issues, if it became useful for them to have a certain issue come through. The Euro has become too good a thing for some countries to give up. It gives them something to compete with the US and the UK currency.

As for abortion, I don't see how it would benefit the EU to force it through. That's more a social issue, rather than a political or trade associated one. I'm sure the EU would be more than happy to wash their hands of it and let the countries deal with it as they see fit. There just isn't enough consensus between the member states to homogenize the issue.

it can't possibly be true...that would be far too awesome.

You're so pathetic so times. Do you have no heart for the unborn babies? :x

As for abortion, I don't see how it would benefit the EU to force it through. That's more a social issue, rather than a political or trade associated one. I'm sure the EU would be more than happy to wash their hands of it and let the countries deal with it as they see fit. There just isn't enough consensus between the member states to homogenize the issue.

You don't seem to understand, the EU likes to meddle in social issues....it likes to have a ruling on absolutely everything, including banana's.