Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib has defended the use of European Social Fund+ (ESF+) resources for safe abortion services, arguing that the funding falls within the EU's supportive competence under the fund's objective of enhancing equal access to healthcare. In a written answer published on 29 June 2026, Lahbib also disclosed the 10 member states that support the Commission's response to the European Citizens' Initiative 'My Voice, My Choice': Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
The answer responds to a parliamentary question submitted on 12 May 2026 by six MEPs from the ECR, PfE and PPE groups, led by Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR). The MEPs had challenged the Commission's legal basis for encouraging member states to use ESF+ funds for abortion, arguing it breaches Treaty principles of conferral, subsidiarity and proportionality. They also objected to Lahbib's earlier call, during a 14 April 2026 structured dialogue in the Women's Rights Committee, for MEPs to lobby their home countries to take up the funding.
Lahbib's answer reiterates that abortion remains a national competence and that member states may voluntarily use ESF+ funds, citing Article 4(1)(k) of the ESF+ Regulation which covers access to person-centred care including healthcare. She notes that member states can submit amended ESF+ programmes for Commission approval. The Commissioner did not address the MEPs' question on the legal basis for urging MEPs to lobby, instead restating the Commission's position that it is up to member states to decide.
The answer provides no new concrete proposals or deadlines, but signals the Commission's continued support for using EU funds to facilitate access to safe abortions within the limits of its competence. Institutional follow-up is likely to focus on member states' voluntary uptake of ESF+ funding, with the Commission awaiting programme amendments from interested countries.