Madrid’s political scene has been reignited by a decision that has sparked widespread public outrage. The city council, with support from the People’s Party (PP), has approved a proposal from the far-right Vox party. Municipal centers are now required to inform women about the so-called ‘post-abortion syndrome.’ This concept, which lacks any scientific basis and does not appear in official medical directories, has become a major point of contention, dividing politicians and experts into two opposing camps.
The essence of the approved document is that various social institutions, including women’s support centers and emergency services, must provide information about the alleged psychological consequences of terminating a pregnancy. Vox representatives argue that such a measure is necessary to protect women, claiming that the procedure can lead to severe trauma, depression, alcoholism, and even suicidal thoughts. Madrid’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has publicly acknowledged that ‘post-abortion syndrome’ is not a recognized scientific term. Nevertheless, he justified his party’s support by referring to the importance of fully informing the public about possible effects of any surgical intervention.
Opposition forces, represented by the Socialists (PSOE) and the Más Madrid party, voiced strong criticism. In their view, the introduction of such practices is nothing more than an attempt to stigmatize women facing difficult life situations. Opponents of the initiative point out that, under the guise of health concerns, ideological positions are being promoted without an evidence base. In the media space, it was also argued that this decision demonstrates a profound lack of respect for a woman’s right to choose. Some commentators rhetorically questioned whether the project’s authors seriously believe the decision to terminate a pregnancy is made lightly and without careful consideration. Particular outrage was sparked by attempts to link abortion to consequences such as alcoholism or insomnia, which were described as absurd and pseudoscientific.
It is worth noting that this is far from the first time Vox has tried to bring the abortion issue to the center of the political agenda. A similar situation occurred in 2023 in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. Back then, the region’s vice president from Vox, Juan García-Gallardo, announced a set of measures aimed at dissuading women from their chosen decision. That episode triggered a serious crisis within the ruling coalition and sparked a wave of criticism nationwide. Current events in Madrid show that Santiago Abascal’s party has no intention of stepping back from its strategy, using sensitive social issues to mobilize its electorate and put pressure on political partners.
