The authorities of the Community of Madrid have decided not to create a registry of medical professionals who, for personal reasons, refuse to perform abortions. This move goes against the requirements set by the central government, which insisted on forming such a database within a month. Now, the issue of whether a registry is necessary will be decided in court.
The deadline set by Spain’s Ministry of Health for Madrid, Aragón, and the Balearic Islands has expired. However, the regional administration led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso has refused to comply, stating that it has no intention of drawing up lists of doctors who do not wish to participate in abortion procedures. According to Madrid’s authorities, such measures are not only ineffective but could also lead to stigmatization of both medical professionals and women who choose to have an abortion.
At the same time, the central government stresses that a registry is necessary to guarantee women’s legal right to access abortion services. The database does not indicate the reasons for a doctor’s refusal, and access to the information is strictly limited. Nevertheless, officials in Madrid argue that this initiative infringes on the rights of healthcare workers and could be used to pressure them.
The situation has sparked heated debate in society and among politicians. Opposition parties in Madrid, such as the Socialists and Más Madrid representatives, are insisting on the necessity of enforcing the law and creating the registry. However, regional authorities remain adamant, emphasizing that they will not allow the creation of any lists, even if this is stipulated by recent changes in legislation.
Historically, the issue of abortion in Spain has always been a source of fierce debate. Until 1985, the procedure was completely banned, and many women were forced to go abroad, most often to the United Kingdom, to access this medical service. Only in the mid-1980s did abortions become legal under certain conditions, and a quarter of a century later, they were permitted up to the 14th week of pregnancy without any additional grounds.
Today, despite the liberalization of the law, the topic still causes disagreements between different levels of government. The decision by Madrid authorities not to comply with the government order could set a precedent for other regions and lead to new legal battles. In the near future, the fate of the registry will depend on the position of the courts, which will have to determine whose rights should be protected first—patients or medical professionals.
The issue remains unresolved, and the situation continues to unfold. In the coming weeks, judicial authorities are expected to deliver a ruling that could affect practice across all regions of the country.
