It was a happy day for parliament member Lea Wermelin, spokeswoman on health for ruling party the Social Democrats, when she voted to raise the abortion limit to 18 weeks. “I’m going to remember the day we gave the green light for this,” she says.
By Martine M. Christensen & Gabriel Lemark
Up until now the abortion limit in Denmark hasn’t been altered since abortion became legal in 1973, but a new law raises the limit from 12 to 18 weeks.
The law was passed with 74 parliament members from both the government and the opposition voting in favor, while 29 members voted against it.
Lea Wermelin is proud to welcome this new law.
“I think it’s important that this step for women’s rights isn’t based on a small majority that can flip from election to election,” she says.
“Why ask these women to wait?”
A majority of the members from the Danish Council on Ethics, who advises the parliament on ethical topics, recommended 18 weeks as the new limit. The opposers within the council argued that they want to have a large margin up until around week 22 when a fetus is viable outside the womb.
Lea Wermelin thinks 18 weeks leaves a large enough margin. She points out that if the 12-week scan showed health issues with the fetus one would previously have to apply for abortion at an abortion council, though the vast majority did receive permission.
“That’s my argument for changing the law. Since we already give most of those permissions, then why ask these women to wait?”
The law becomes effective as of June 1st, 2025.
This article could be published as a small notis in the “Europe” section in the Guardian, with a target audience who would be familiar with Denmark’s existence and cultural reputation as a progressive state, but probably not familiar with the current politicians or political landscape of the country.