Spain to Restrict Abortions

It would be the first EU nation to reverse the trend toward legalization
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 21, 2013 6:46 AM CST
Spain to Restrict Abortions
Protesters shout slogans during a protest against their government on abortion issues in Madrid, Spain, Friday.   (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Spain is poised to defy the trend in Europe and impose tough restrictions on abortion, reports Reuters. Women currently can get an abortion on request during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, but the proposed law would allow the procedure only in the case of rape, serious risk to the mother, or severe deformities to the fetus. It also would require teens younger than 18 to get parental consent. Because the ruling People's Party has a clear majority in parliament, the measure is expected to become law in early 2014, reports the Wall Street Journal.

"Many women will be packing their bags once again for those weekend charter flights to France and England," says the president of France's Planned Parenthood Federation. "It's a dramatic situation that will create much pain and suffering." The move will make Spain the first country in the European Union to reverse legislation legalizing abortion, notes Bloomberg. "This was in our electoral program," says Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. His party is on the skids because of the nation's economic slump, and most of the coverage sees the move as a way to shore up support with its conservative base. (More Spain stories.)

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