Western Europe
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Why a French Senator Votes for Abortion Proposal Despite Objections
Politicians and constitutional law professors agree that embedding abortion in the constitution is mainly symbolic politics. Yet, it seems to be happening. Anne-Marie Le Pourhiet asserts that there is a case of legal illiteracy within the French government. The emeritus professor is one of the constitutional specialists who have sought…
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French move children to the bottom of the priority list
For the first time in history, France is experiencing a record drop in its birth rate. “Today, having a child is often seen as a way of self-realisation”, sociologist Julien Damon said. Although the birth rate has declined since 2011, it has reached its lowest level this year, according to…
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Dutch court: Child does not need a mother after birth
A Dutch court ruled that intended parents can have their child's birth certificate drawn up without the surrogate mother's name. “A woman is thus reduced to a womb.” Although the two men were “unable to realise their desire for children on their own”, according to the court in The Hague,…
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Dutch government plans to regulate surrogacy
The Dutch government wants to forbid women to bear children for profit. But altruistic surrogacy should be made easier. Women will also be allowed to offer themselves in advertisements. “Something is going to shift.” This said Minister Franc Weerwind of Legal Affairs (D66) on Friday afternoon. Any form of payment…
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Surrogacy expert slams proposed Dutch regulation, predicting increased demand
Only one in 50 surrogate mothers has no financial interest. The other 49 women carry someone else’s child for commercial reasons. Yet, the Dutch government will draft legislation that allows altruistic surrogacy. “If you regulate the practice, it will spread massively.” The Dutch Reformed SGP party is “somewhat baffled” by…
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Dutch MP asks government to block surrogacy
The Dutch government should come up with a reaction to the Casablanca declaration and reconsider its position on surrogacy. MP Kees van der Staaij of the Reformed SGP party in the Netherlands argues for this in parliamentary questions to the Minister of Legal Protection, Franc Weerwind. Photo S Van der…
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The new Dutch ChristianUnion leader is a “pilgrim on the plush”
For the first time in history, the Dutch governing ChristianUnion has a female party leader. With Mirjam Bikker, the outgoing Gert-Jan Segers gets a solid lawyer with much political experience as a successor. On Tuesday, the 40-year-old Mirjam Bikker became the new party leader of the ChristenUnie, or ChristianUnion. She…