Spanish lawmakers approve new liberal abortion law
December 17, 2009
A new law allowing abortion on demand during the first trimester of pregnancy was approved by Spain’s Congress of Deputies on December 17, on a 184-158 vote. The proposal, backed by Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero, now goes to the Senate, where approval is expected.
The new law would replace a policy that allows abortion only in cases involving rape, fetal deformity, or a danger to the health of the mother. Although in practice that last provision has been interpreted to allow early abortion in nearly all cases—with thousands of women saying that a continued rregnancy would endanger their emotional welfare-- the new bill formally embraces a policy of abortion on demand.
The Spanish bishops had worked energetically to defeat the Zapatero proposal, instructing all Catholic lawmakers to reject the measure and announcing that any Catholic who supported the bill should refrain from receiving Communion.
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Further information:
- Spanish lawmakers vote to ease abortion law (AP)
- Spanish bishops: Catholic legislators must vote against abortion law (CWN, 6/22)
- Spanish bishops bar pro-abortion politicians from Communion (CWN, 11/30)
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