Italy passes measures to allow anti-abortion activists to enter abortion clinics

Opposition parties say women's rights dealt blow after package approved by Georgia Meloni's cabinet

Italian opposition parties said women's rights in Italy had been dealt a heavy" blow after parliament passed a measure by Giorgia Meloni's far-right government allowing anti-abortion activists to enter abortion consultation clinics.

The measure formed part of a package of initiatives approved by Meloni's cabinet that will be funded by the EU's post-pandemic recovery fund, of which Italy is the biggest beneficiary, and was put to the lower house in a confidence vote on Tuesday. The package of measures is expected to comfortably pass in the senate, too.