Justice Minister Hubig advocates for relaxed abortion laws and enhances counseling services

In a recent development, Stefanie Hubig, the Federal Minister of Justice from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has proposed a reform of Germany's abortion law. The minister believes that the decision to have an abortion significantly impacts both the woman's life and the unborn child.

The coalition agreement stipulates that statutory health insurance will expand cost coverage for abortions beyond current regulations. However, Hubig disputes the assessment that implementing this requirement necessitates changing the Criminal Code. She emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between women's right to self-determination and the protection of unborn life.

Hubig finds it troubling that finding doctors who perform abortions can be challenging in the current system. She believes that a change in the legal framework would help alleviate these difficulties. The minister also supports the continuation of mandatory counseling before an abortion.

The current regulation does not provide explicit guidelines for medical care in the context of abortions, which Hubig sees as an area in need of reform. She mentions that there are clever lawyers in the Ministry of Health who may help find solutions.

The Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that the solidarity community may not be obliged to finance illegal interventions. Legal experts argue that such cost coverage necessitates a change in Paragraph 218 StGB, which declares abortions illegal. However, abortions in the first three months are currently illegal but not punishable in Germany.

Support for the decriminalization of abortions in the first three months comes primarily from parties like the Green Party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), Die Linke, and BSW (Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht), who call for removing the regulation from the criminal code and improving medical care access. In contrast, the Union (CDU/CSU) opposes such liberalization and prefers a more conservative stance, influenced by Christian values.

Hubig has made it clear that she does not support an unconditional legalization of abortions. Instead, she emphasizes the need to find ways and means to implement the requirement without changing the Criminal Code. She refers to representative polls showing a broad societal support for the decriminalization of abortions in the first three months.

In conclusion, Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig's proposed reform aims to balance the right of women to self-determination and the protection of unborn life, while addressing the challenges in the current system and ensuring improved medical care access. The implementation of this reform, however, remains a topic of debate among legal experts and political parties.

Justice Minister Hubig advocates for relaxed abortion laws and enhances counseling services