The municipality of Luxembourg City recently faced criticism from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), the Green Party (Déi Gréng), the Left Party (Déi Lénk), and the reproductive rights organisation Planning Familial for proposing a subsidy to the anti-abortion association Vie Naissante to mark its 50th anniversary. The association has since responded to the controversy.
Last week, the local authority approved a grant for the non-profit in recognition of its milestone anniversary – a decision that drew sharp criticism from the LSAP, the Green Party, and the Left Party. Planning Familial also condemned the move, arguing that public funds should not support an organisation opposed to abortion rights.
On Wednesday, Vie Naissante addressed the backlash, expressing both “astonishment” and “perplexity”. Its president, André Grosbusch, called the situation “unprecedented,” stating, “In a democracy, it must be possible to hold a minority opinion on a law without facing discrimination as an association.” He emphasised that the group has received municipal subsidies for years without issue.
Since 2008, Vie Naissante has received an annual subsidy from Luxembourg City, with the amount fixed at €1,000 since 2021. The proposed anniversary grant of €2,200 follows what the municipality described as standard practice for honouring local associations.
However, local branches of the LSAP, the Green Party, and the Left Party have rejected this justification. Planning Familial further criticised Vie Naissante’s stance as anti-choice, noting that abortion rights are legally protected in Luxembourg and accusing the association of disregarding scientific consensus on the issue.
Grosbusch rejected the criticisms, arguing that the right to life is upheld in both the Universal and European Declarations of Human Rights, as well as in the Declaration of Children’s Rights, which Luxembourg has ratified. He emphasised that, in his view, these protections apply not only after birth but also before it.
Grosbusch clarified that Vie Naissante opposes abortion rights and focuses on supporting expectant mothers and new parents. He described the association’s efforts as “social work,” stressing that the proposed €2,200 municipal grant would be used solely for this purpose. According to Grosbusch, the organisation spends an average of €60,000 annually on essentials like milk and diapers and collaborates with all social offices across the Grand Duchy.
Additionally, Vie Naissante operates a second-hand shop where donors can contribute used items such as prams, cribs, and children’s clothing.
