Old North News

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called a bill that would amend the state’s abortion limit from 20 weeks to 12 weeks with exceptions "extreme" and pledged on Twitter to veto the measure.

The North Carolina General Assembly's Republican majority overrode his veto, however.

Many European countries limit abortions after 12 weeks, including Ukraine, Norway, Germany, Greece and Austria. Other countries limit abortion access after 10 weeks or earlier.

North Carolina state Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) was recently on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, touting several measures in the legislation including the Born Alive Survivors Act and the ban on partial-birth abortions.

“I have filed that bill every session since I've been there, and it's been vetoed, and we didn't have the votes to override...so now babies that survive those botched abortions will be cared for, so it's a great day in North Carolina,” Krawiec said in the interview posted on Twitter.

The bill takes effect on July 1, and the state’s limits on abortions will be changed from 20 weeks into pregnancy to 12 weeks, with exceptions for incest and rape still limited at 20 weeks, a WTVD report said. The bill upholds exceptions for abortions when the woman’s life is at risk. The report also noted that a three-day waiting period is in place before a woman can undergo a procedure.

"This is a pro-life plan, not an abortion ban," Krawiec said during a debate on the bill, according to WTVD. Democratic legislators termed the legislation "extreme" and "oppressive."

Some European nations have similar restrictions, with Germany permitting abortions up to 12 weeks into pregnancy and later under some instances, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. The WHO also noted that women must receive counseling before they can have an abortion.

Euro News reported in 2022 that abortion is legal up to 12 weeks into pregnancy in Finland, with recently eased restrictions that previously required women to receive the approval of two physicians before undergoing the procedure.

Abortion is legal in Greece up to 12 weeks into pregnancy, and women must be informed of their options and potential complications prior to the procedure, a Global Citizen Solutions report said. The report also noted that parental consent is needed for minors seeking abortions, and the law also makes provisions for cases of rape and incest, which can be done up to 19 weeks into pregnancy. In cases of fetal abnormalities, abortions can be performed up to 24 weeks, with additional exceptions when a woman’s life is at risk.

In Austria, a woman can get an abortion up to 12 weeks into pregnancy after they consult with a physician, with exceptions made when a woman’s life is at risk or if a fetus has severe anomalies, according to oesterreich.gv.at. The government website noted no stipulations requiring a physician to perform an abortion unless it is necessary to save a woman’s life.

Poland and Liechtenstein only have legal abortion in instances of rape, incest or when the woman’s life is at risk, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. Similar restrictions are in place in Monaco, with some exceptions for fetal abnormalities. Malta and Andorra have completely banned the procedure.