• Abortion
• Spain

Madrid, Apr 7 (EFE).-

Spain’s government on Tuesday approved a proposal to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution, aiming to guarantee its access through the public health system nationwide.

The measure, however, faces significant hurdles as it requires broad parliamentary support.

The reform must secure a three-fifths majority in both chambers of Parliament, making backing from the main opposition Popular Party essential. The conservative party has already voiced opposition to the proposal when it was introduced last year.

The initiative, led by the government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, seeks to protect the right to voluntary termination of pregnancy within the public health system and to ensure it is available under appropriate medical conditions across the country.

The move follows France, which in March 2024 became the first country to explicitly include abortion rights in its Constitution.

The Council of Ministers approved the draft bill to amend Article 43 of the Constitution after receiving a favorable opinion from the Council of State, which found the proposal constitutional.

Government spokesperson Elma Saiz said the reform advances the social and legal recognition of women’s right to self-determination and aims to safeguard it “against regressive dynamics.”

Equality Minister Ana Redondo said that while women’s legal rights are not under threat, access remains uneven across Spain. She noted that 79 percent of abortion procedures are performed in private clinics, compared with about 20 percent in public facilities.

The proposed amendment would add a clause stating that public authorities must guarantee women’s right to abortion under conditions of “real and effective equality,” including the provision of all necessary services. EFE

nat-mb/bks/sc