France's lower house adopts abortion rights bill

Lawmakers in France's lower house of parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution to enshrine abortion rights in the country’s constitution, the first step in a lengthy and uncertain legislative battle prompted by the rollback of abortion rights in the United States.

The measure was approved with 337 lawmakers voting for and 32 against in the 557-member National Assembly. Abortion in France was decriminalized under a key 1975 law, but there is nothing in the constitution that would guarantee abortion rights. French Justice Minister said the centrist government supports the initiative.