A key session of the Congress is taking place in Madrid today, where deputies are considering amendments from Partido Popular and Vox aimed at completely stopping the constitutional reform proposed by the government. This initiative seeks to enshrine the right to abortion at the level of the country’s fundamental law and ensure equal access to the procedure in all regions. If the amendments are approved, the document will be sent back to the government and further discussion will cease.
Both opposition parties strongly oppose the changes. Partido Popular calls the initiative a “falsification of the Constitution,” while Vox representatives consider it “an affront to the dignity of human nature.” Despite differences in rhetoric, both forces demand an immediate halt to the parliamentary process. If, however, the majority of deputies reject the amendments, the reform will continue its path through both chambers of parliament and, for final approval, will require the backing of at least three-fifths of the votes in Congress and the Senate.
Access to abortion and regional disparities
The government emphasizes that the goal of the reform is to guarantee the possibility of terminating a pregnancy in public medical institutions throughout Spain. Currently, according to official data, only 20% of all abortions are performed in public clinics, and the availability of the service varies significantly by region. This creates inequality for women in different parts of the country, which has become one of the arguments in favor of enshrining the right in the Constitution.
Political conflict and parliamentary debates
During the plenary session, all parliamentary groups will present their positions, with Minister for Equality Ana Redondo serving as the government’s main spokesperson. The discussion takes place amid sharp political confrontation, where the issue of abortion rights has become a central topic for both sides. Such heated debates have repeatedly led to blocked initiatives in the Spanish parliament—for example, lawmakers recently rejected a proposal to protect tenants, as detailed in the article on the failure to extend the rental decree.
What happens next
If the amendments by Partido Popular and Vox do not win a majority, the reform will continue along the legislative process. If ultimately approved, Spain will establish the right to abortion in the Constitution for the first time, which could change the provision of medical services for women across the country. The final vote is expected to become one of the most high-profile events of the parliamentary session.
