Democrats pounce on Arizona abortion ruling and say it could help in election

The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the state can enforce its long-dormant law criminalising all abortions except when a mother’s life is at stake (Matt York/AP)

Democrats have pounced on an Arizona Supreme Court ruling that permits enforcement of an 1864 law effectively banning abortion in the US state, blaming ex-president Donald Trump and Republicans and pressing for political advantage on an issue that could dominate a critical 2024 battleground.

The ruling permits doctors or others to be prosecuted for performing an abortion at any time unless the mother’s life is in danger, with no exceptions for rape or incest.