Spain’s left-wing government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has proposed amending the constitution to anchor the right to abortion as a fundamental legal guarantee. This move comes amid growing political debate triggered by Madrid City Council’s recent approval of a far-right-backed measure requiring women to be informed about a so-called “post-abortion syndrome,” a condition lacking scientific evidence.
The Spanish government’s proposed constitutional reform aims to protect women’s reproductive rights firmly, ensuring that abortion rights cannot be rolled back in the future. If successful, Spain would become the second country globally, after France in 2024, to include abortion rights explicitly in its constitution.
The initiative reflects broader concerns over a global wave of attacks on sexual and reproductive freedoms following the rollback of abortion rights in other countries, notably after the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
Under Spain’s existing laws, abortion has been legal under various conditions since 1985 and on demand up to 14 weeks since 2010. However, conservative opposition, led by the Popular Party (PP) which supported the Madrid motion on “post-abortion syndrome,” challenges the constitutional reform. The government accuses the PP of siding with far-right groups at the expense of women’s rights.
The proposed constitutional amendment requires a three-fifths majority in both parliamentary chambers. Given the current political makeup, passing this reform would demand negotiating support amid significant opposition.
Alongside the constitutional discussions, the government plans to enact laws ensuring that medical professionals provide abortion information based strictly on scientific evidence from reputable organizations like WHO and the American Psychiatric Association, aiming to curb misinformation that could deter women from seeking abortions.