A proposed Reproductive Health Law returned to Lithuania’s parliament on Tuesday, reigniting debate over abortion access, public health spending, and reproductive rights. The bill passed the first reading on Tuesday.
The bill, introduced by Social Democrat MP Birutė Vėsaitė, seeks to enshrine reproductive health as a legal right and ensure free access to abortion services, shifting current regulations from a ministerial decree into formal legislation.
Vėsaitė told parliament the law aligns with international human rights standards and emphasises reproductive health as an inalienable right.
However, the proposal has exposed deep divisions within the Seimas and even the ruling coalition.
Rita Tamašunienė, a member of the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Christian Families Union, opposed state-funded abortions. “Why should the consequences of personal choices be paid for by taxpayers?” she asked, also questioning the financial burden of providing free contraceptives. “If moral arguments aren’t convincing, perhaps numbers will be.”
Agnė Širinskienė of the Democrats “For Lithuania” faction, which is part of the Social Democrat-led ruling coalition, criticised the bill for presenting reproductive health as a new concept.
“Abortion and sex education already exist in regulations. We’re not inventing something new,” she said, warning that the law may reignite culture wars and create preferential treatment for some patients over others.
Širinskienė argued that the bill proposes exceptional reimbursement for abortion and contraception, while patients with serious conditions like cancer must undergo a lengthy approval process for treatment under the Health Insurance Law.
Liberal leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen defended the proposal, stressing that reproductive health is broader than abortion access. “It’s about human rights – for both women and men,” she said, calling the bill “standard practice” in progressive democracies. She highlighted the importance of science-based sex education, noting that around 400 teenagers give birth in Lithuania annually.
“This shows gaps in education,” she said. “We can only imagine the stigma faced by vulnerable young people.”
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas expressed support for the bill, calling it a hallmark of a modern society. He acknowledged differing opinions within the Social Democratic faction but said most members are expected to vote in favour.
Parliament Speaker Saulius Skvernelis, of the Democrats “For Lithuania”, voiced scepticism, doubting whether the bill would bring substantial change. “We can discuss whether services should be free, but I’m not convinced it’s necessary,” he said.
The draft law would allow abortions up to 12 weeks without medical indication and up to 22 weeks in cases of medical necessity, rape, or incest. The procedures could be performed surgically or medically, with medical abortions available via telehealth at the patient’s request. All costs would be covered by the national health insurance fund.
The bill also includes provisions for free psychological and social support for survivors of sexual violence, comprehensive sexuality education based on World Health Organization standards, and improved access to contraception and sexually transmitted infection prevention.
The proposal is backed by Social Democrats, liberals, and some conservatives, including MPs Birutė Vėsaitė, Laurynas Šedvydis, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Edita Rudelienė, and Jurgita Sejonienė.
On Tuesday, 56 MPs voted in favour of the Reproductive Health Law, 44 voted against it, and 10 abstained.
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