A government-appointed commission has called on Germany to legalize abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Abortions are generally illegal in the nation, although there are few prosecutions. The current legal limbo causes many clinics and doctors to not publicize abortion services or refuse to perform abortions due to the risk of prosecution. Furthermore, abortions must be paid by the patients, not by the government insurance system. The government is not obligated to follow the commission's advice, and so far, government ministers have not been publicly vocal in responding to the recommendations.
Compiled from: Damien McGuinness, "Legalise abortions in first trimester, German commission says," BBC, Apr. 15, 2024.