For the first time, this ceremony was open to the public.
Published on 03/08/2024 13:43
Updated on 03/08/2024 14:30
Reading time: 3 min
Eric Dupond-Moretti, on March 8, 2024 in Paris. (GONZALO FUENTES / AFP)
A radiant sun for a “historic” day. Many people gathered in Place Vendôme, Paris, for the ceremony marking the sealing of the law enshrining voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG) in the Constitution on Friday, March 8.
During this ceremony, which lasted just under an hour, Eric Dupond-Moretti affixed the Republic’s seal to the law enshrining the freedom to abort in the Constitution. Then the President of the Republic expressed his desire to include “the guaranteed freedom to resort to IVG” in the charter of fundamental rights of the European Union. Catherine Ringer interpreted a slightly revised version of La Marseillaise and members of the public sang “Debout les femmes”, the anthem of the Women’s Liberation Movement (MLF). Franceinfo looks back in four segments at this ceremony.
1 Sealing by Eric Dupond-Moretti
It was Eric Dupond-Moretti, the Minister of Justice, who logically affixed the Republic’s seal to the law enshrining the “guaranteed” freedom of access to voluntary termination of pregnancy in the Constitution. In the presence of the President, he wielded the press of 1810 brought expressly from his office, amidst great silence, before long applause erupted from the guests and the few hundred people who came to witness this sealing ceremony of the Constitution.
2 Emmanuel Macron wants to include IVG in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Emmanuel Macron confirmed his desire to include the “freedom to resort” to abortion “in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union” where, according to him, “nothing is acquired and everything is to be defended”. “We will lead this fight on our continent, where reactionary forces first and always attack women’s rights before then targeting the rights of minorities, all the oppressed, all freedoms,” declared the head of state during a public ceremony in Place Vendôme.
3 “La Marseillaise” interpreted by Catherine Ringer
Singer Catherine Ringer interpreted a slightly revised version of La Marseillaise. She replaced the “impure blood” that, in the national anthem, “watered our furrows” with homage to the introduction of “pure law in the Constitution” to evoke the inclusion of IVG in the fundamental law. “Citizens, citizens,” added the star of Rita Mitsouko. “Let’s march, let’s sing,” she sang, to the applause of the crowd who came to witness this historic moment.
4 “Stand up Women” sung by the public
Right after the sealing of the law by Eric Dupond-Moretti, members of the public sang “Debout les femmes,” the MLF anthem, to applause. “It is a powerful anthem that speaks of sexist and sexual violence, sisterhood, topics that are still relevant today,” explained Fabienne El-Khoury of the movement Dare Feminism to franceinfo. Sung to the tune of the “Chant des marais,” this anthem was created in 1971 by activists of the Women’s Liberation Movement, who were preparing a gathering in memory of the women of the Commune.
