Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, stated that his administration intends to stop women from being given “misleading” details concerning abortion.
The left-leaning government of Spain has committed to embedding abortion rights into its national constitution. This initiative comes after a disagreement regarding the Madrid city council’s choice to disseminate information about “post-abortion syndrome” to individuals considering ending their pregnancies.
On Friday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared that his coalition, comprising Socialists and the far left, plans to introduce a constitutional reform proposal in parliament, emphasizing that women’s rights would not be eroded by opposing political groups.
He criticized the conservative Popular Party (PP), alleging it was “aligning with the far right,” following the support from PP councilors in Madrid for a Vox party proposal that would mandate health facilities to offer information to women contemplating abortion.
“There will be no retreat on social rights under this government,” Sanchez posted on X, adding that the proposed reform would also modify current legislation to ensure pregnant women do not receive “deceptive or unscientific details concerning abortion.” A constitutional amendment in Spain needs a three-fifths parliamentary majority, indicating the Socialist-led coalition will require backing from opposition parties.
The PP-controlled council in Madrid endorsed the measure on Tuesday, which would compel health services to inform women about post-abortion trauma. Vox asserted that this condition could result in substance abuse, suicidal ideation, or cancer. The initiative sparked significant criticism, as medical professionals highlighted the absence of scientific consensus on the matter. On Thursday, Madrid’s Mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, conceded that the syndrome is not a scientifically recognized category and stated that women would not be compelled to receive such information.
In Spain, abortion was decriminalized for specific situations in 1985, and a 2010 amendment extended its legality up to 14 weeks. Last year, France made history as the first nation globally to incorporate abortion rights into its constitution.
This discussion emerges alongside increasing worries regarding Europe’s demographic trajectory, particularly after Elon Musk recently cautioned that Europe might “vanish” if birth rates do not revert to the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. Certain research indicates that the threshold for long-term survival is nearer to 2.7 children.
Recent statistics reveal Spain’s fertility rate stands at 1.41 births per woman, ranking among the lowest in the EU. Europe collectively is also experiencing a sharp downturn, with almost every country reporting fertility levels beneath the replacement standard.