[16890c]

No [1], the limit is 12 weeks. Any abortion above 12 weeks is a crime (except for special cases) and the doctor can be held accountable. What you're probably referring to is the fact that the pregnant woman will not be persecuted up until 22 weeks.

[1] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stgb/__218a.html

[neuronic]

Yes, the limit for regular abortions is 12 weeks. However, it's 22 weeks for special circumstances according to § 218a:

https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/familie/schwangerschaft-...

[heinrichhartman]

What value does a law have if you are not enforcing it?

[Freak_NL]

It gives conservative parties in a coalition something to hold on to while tentatively accepting the status quo. And it gives them hope that turning back the clock on women's reproductive rights might be possible if legislature or the judiciary ever shifts to a majority willing to undo them.

It also allows commenters on websites to go “Ackchyually, …”, purposely ignoring the de facto legal situation, focusing on the de jure fiction instead.