The measure stems from the "My Voice, My Choice" citizens’ initiative, which calls for an EU-funded mechanism to cover abortion procedures for women from countries with near-total bans, such as Poland and Malta, or where access is limited, including Italy and Croatia, the Reuters news agency reported.
Supporters, including abortion rights groups, argue the plan would reduce unsafe abortions and help women who cannot afford to travel abroad for care.
Opponents, including far-right and some centre-right lawmakers, say the proposal interferes with national laws and conflicts with traditional values.
If approved by the EU parliament in Strasbourg, the initiative will go to the European Commission, which will have until March to decide whether to act on it.
Previous citizens’ initiatives have rarely resulted in new EU legislation, Reuters reported.
The vote comes amid contrasting trends across Europe. Some countries, including Britain, have moved to decriminalise abortion, while France recently enshrined abortion access in its constitution.
At the same time, support has grown for far-right parties across the continent, many of which oppose abortion.
Polish politicians clash over abortion access
In Poland, which has one of the EU's most restrictive abortion laws, efforts to ease the rules have stalled.
Centrist Prime Minister Donald Tusk said last year that supporters of liberalising abortion regulations do not hold a majority in parliament.
"Those who oppose broader abortion rights form the majority in the house today, so it is difficult to bring about any changes in the law," Tusk said, citing the opposition conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, the far-right Confederation group and the rural-based Polish People's Party (PSL), a junior partner in his governing coalition.
Apart from Malta's total ban, Poland has the toughest abortion restrictions in the European Union, according to reports.
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Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP