The Constitutional Court has approved a reform of the law on abortion that allows 16 and 17-year-old girls to terminate pregnancies without parental consent. This change also establishes public hospitals as reference centers for this practice. The court rejected Vox’s appeal with seven votes in favor of the progressive majority against four in the conservative minority. This was the same result as a year ago when the court approved the previous law, promoted by the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Magistrates Ricardo Enríquez, Enrique Arnaldo, César Tolosa, and magistrate Concepción Espejel announced a dissenting opinion, stating that the draft sentence of magistrate Laura Díez was approved without any modification.
The new rule has sparked controversy among proponents and opponents alike, with Vox arguing that it could violate various constitutional precepts such as freedom, plurality, legality, equality, life and ideological freedom. However, supporters of the reform argue that it is necessary to provide young women with greater autonomy over their reproductive health decisions.
The reform of the abortion law eliminates the need for parental consent for 16- and 17-year-old girls, a requirement introduced in 2015 by the PP government. It also establishes public hospitals as reference centers for this practice. Additionally, it provides for the creation of a register of conscientious objectors for healthcare personnel and eliminates the obligation to inform women about benefits and aid for maternity support, as well as the three-day reflection period.
