Karystianou’s Comment on Abortions Triggers Intense Reactions
Maria Karystianou described the issue of abortions as a matter for public consultation, setting off strong political reactions and drawing immediate responses from government officials.
Karystianou Highlights Moral Dimension
In an interview on OPEN, Karystianou said she respects women’s free will and rights but emphasized what she sees as the moral aspect involving the fetus. She stated that her scientific background requires her to consider the life that has formed, noting that once the heartbeat is detected at 3 months, life is considered to exist.
Explanation of Her Public Consultation Remark
She clarified that her reference to public consultation was not strictly about abortions but broader societal issues, stating that matters affecting society can be addressed through public consultation.
Marinakis Responds with Strong Rejection
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis reacted firmly, stressing that the most shocking part was hearing such a statement from a doctor. He stated, {"Every woman every person is responsible for their own body period"}.
Doudonis Emphasizes Legal Finality Since 1986
Commenting on OPEN, PASOK MP Panagiotis Doudonis noted that abortion rights were fully resolved in 1986 under the government of Andreas Papandreou. He underlined that women’s autonomy over their bodies is constitutionally guaranteed and that opposing views align with far right positions.
The Legal and Historical Context Presented by Doudonis
Doudonis recalled that the 1986 legislation on pregnancy termination passed despite strong opposition from New Democracy at the time, and he stressed that the matter has been considered settled for 40 years.
Akrita Warns of Dangerous Implications
Syriza’s Elena Akrita criticized Karystianou’s position as deeply political and dangerous, linking it to conservative and theocratic ideologies. She highlighted that abortion has been legal in Greece since 1986 and that women’s rights were won through long struggles.
Akrita Rejects Revisiting Fundamental Rights
Akrita argued that human rights cannot be bargained or subjected to consultations, adding that challenging abortion rights places Karystianou ideologically close to the Niki party.
Achtsioglou Lists Four Key Problems
Effie Achtsioglou outlined 4 issues with Karystianou’s stance, starting with the challenge to women’s fundamental right to bodily autonomy, which has been secured legally for decades.
Risks of Criminalizing Abortions
Achtsioglou stressed that illegal abortion frameworks endanger women’s physical safety, as history in Greece and other countries has shown.
Fundamental Rights Not Subject to Majority Decisions
She underlined that fundamental rights are not determined by majorities or minorities and therefore cannot be put up for public consultation.
No Legal Conflict Between Fetal Protection and Women’s Autonomy
Achtsioglou added that European legal frameworks on lawful abortions show no conflict between protecting the fetus and ensuring women’s bodily autonomy, eliminating the need for any balancing.
Christidis Calls for More Rights
Pavlos Christidis stated that women must decide about their bodies and their lives, adding that society should aim for more rights, not fewer.
PASOK Reaffirms Established Abortion Rights
PASOK reiterated that abortion rights were secured in 1986 through law 1609, ensuring women’s safe access to abortion. The party emphasized that today’s priority should be expanding women’s rights, not reversing progress.
Diamantopoulou Rejects Any Step Back
Anna Diamantopoulou declared that women have won their rights through struggle and will not take a single step back, stressing the importance of defending these hard earned freedoms.
