Rethinking the Right to Abortion in Europe – A Conversation with Gianluca Gasparini

Recorded at the European Law Unbound conference, this episode features Gianluca Gasparini of the University of Catanzaro discussing his research on abortion rights from a European legal perspective. The conversation traces why abortion remains one of the most politically, ethically, and institutionally contested issues in Europe, even in countries where it is formally legal. We explore how conscientious objection, procedural limits, and uneven regional access continue to shape the practical availability of abortion; how constitutional developments in countries like France may signal a broader European shift; and what space the EU has—or should have—for defining common standards in such a sensitive domain. Gasparini also reflects on three core concepts he sees as central to any future European approach: autonomy, equality, and vulnerability.