The Spanish government announced this Friday, October 3, that it will propose a reform of the Constitution to include the right to voluntary pregnancy interruption (IVG). The measure, which Pedro Sánchez considers essential to “guarantee the freedom and autonomy of women”, comes days after the Madrid City Council, governed by the Popular Party (PP), approved a controversial initiative presented by the far right (Vox).
The municipal proposal provided that women who resort to abortion were informed about an alleged “post-abortion syndrome”, associated with depression, alcohol and drug consumption or even greater risk of cancer-a concept that has no scientific recognition. The PP’s own direction eventually moved away from the measure, and the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, admitted that this is not a “recognized scientific category”, ensuring that it will not be of mandatory application.
Nevertheless, approval was sufficient to light the political debate. Pedro Sánchez accused the PP of “merging with the far right” and has ensured that his executive “will not step back to women’s rights.”
Non -Parliament Obstacles
The right to abortion has been legal in Spain since 2010 and Pedro Sáncjez’s executive recalls has even been recognized by the Constitutional Court as an essential right of women, in a decision of 2023. But to be inscribed in the Constitution, the proposal needs the support of a majority of three fifths in Parliament – a difficult scenario, given the express opposition of the Popular Party.
PP Secretary-General Miguel Tellado reacted immediately, devaluing Sánchez’s proposal: “Has no vows to validate a simple decree and intends to modify the Constitution?”He asked.
If he advances, Spain will become the second country in the world to constitutionally consecrate the right to abortion after France had it in 2024.