Public debate on the so-called "ban on advertising abortion" has been dragging on for years in Germany. It may soon draw to an end because, according to a proposal by the federal government, those offering detailed information on the procedure would not be punishable in the future.

In Germany, doctors who perform abortions may inform their patients that they do such interventions, but may not disclose details of the procedure. The new federal government wants to change that, so there will soon be no penalty for providing information.

„By that we will put an end to an intolerable situation that doctors have to face criminal investigation and charges if they provide information about the abortions they offer. It is an impossible situation that everyone can share information on the internet, except doctors,” Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said.

Buschmann, a politician of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) says the planned reform will not change the principle that the life of the foetus should be protected. He added that advertisements praising or panning abortion will continue to be banned.

However, the draft has sparked a heated debate in parliament. The CDU/CSU coalition, which has been in opposition since the formation of the new government in December, rejects the amendment. Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, chairwoman of the parliament’s legal affairs committee, said that the current rules are appropriate because they prevent possible abuses.

„It is very difficult to separate information from advertising. If, for example, the website of a doctor’s office says that the client feels almost nothing during the abortion, is that still information or is it advertising?” asked Winkelmeier-Becker.

Die Vorsitzende des Rechtsausschusses Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker kritisiert, dass die Ampel das Verbot der Werbung für Abtreibungen streichen will. Ein Gespräch über die Rechte von Müttern und den Schutz des ungeborenen Lebens. https://t.co/3Q2ETaDxqX

— Frankfurter Allgemeine Einspruch (@faz_einspruch) January 17, 2022

The party alliance is also concerned about the proposed reform because they believe that the amendment would trivialise abortion, something that would be extremely problematic both morally and legally. Just like the CDU/CSU party alliance, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party also disagrees that the law should be rescinded. Thomas Seitz, legal policy spokesman of AfD’s parliamentary group, said abortion was not an ordinary service, which is to be promoted in all the usual ways.