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During his latest public speech, the president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, announced that he will send to Congress a new policy to legalize abortion nationwide, before the end of the current year.
“This government feels encouraged to move forward and not retreat,” Boric said, despite the fact that a similar proposal that sought to decriminalize abortion up to 14 weeks of gestation was already discussed and rejected just three years ago, in 2021.
During his speech, President Boric also announced the sending of a new regulation to the General Comptroller of the Republic which he claims will “improve the application” of the existing Abortion Law: “to ensure that people know their options, to ensure a right that is established by law, that conscientious objection does not hinder these three grounds and that the place where one lives and the capacity to pay are not a barrier.”
The country’s current abortion law allows abortion only in three specific exceptions: risk to the mother’s life, non-viability, and rape. Although no details of the text sent to the Office were provided, the fact that Boric specified that one of his objectives is to ensure that “conscientious objection does not hinder abortion on these three grounds” could violate the conscience rights of Chilean doctors to refuse to kill a preborn child under these circumstances. In addition, Boric’s remarks about “where one lives and the capacity to pay” have led to speculation that he intends to institute “free” (government- or taxpayer-funded) abortions in the country.
READ: Chile elects pro-abortion president in stunning upset for pro-lifers
Several representatives left the room in the middle of the announcements in immediate reaction to President Boric’s speech. As a result, the president publicly repudiated these actions, claiming he was not surprised to see this attitude come from men. However, the president ignored the fact that two female representatives, Sara Concha and Francesca Muñoz, also exited the room.
Despite the fact that the announcement was received with applause from Boric’s supporters, opponents expressed the opinion that they did not think it wise to push for a controversial law while the country has other needs valued as priorities by the vast majority.
According to The Gazette, “Only 30% of the population backs the leftist president, a figure that’s little changed from a year ago, according to a Cadem poll published this week.”
After President Boric announced his intention of sending this new bill to Congress, it seems clear that this is not a demand from the people but part of his feminist agenda. According to Plaza Pública by Cadem, a well known poll-platform in Chile that measures public opinion on a weekly basis, after Boric’s speech 53% of Chileans declared that they don’t want changes to the current abortion law. Above that, 15% think abortion should be prohibited under any circumstances.
On the other hand, while only 10% agreed with unrestricted abortion, 22% would support abortion up to 14 weeks of gestation. Still, 80% of Chileans believe the passage of a bill removing abortion limits in the country has little to no chance of passing.
The president’s proposal will be entered during the second half of 2024.
