Far-right leader of Spanish region announces anti-abortion measures

Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - The far-right vice president of the Spanish region of Castile and Leon announced new “pro-life” measures Thursday, aimed at preventing abortion.

Juan García-Gallardo of the far-right Vox party said the health protocol for pregnant women will “immediately” change.

Under the new rules, doctors will be obliged to tell pregnant women, including those who want to terminate their pregnancies, that they can listen to the fetus’ heartbeat, view it with a 4D ultrasound or receive psychological support.

“Parents should listen to the heartbeat of their baby before making any decision,” said García-Gallardo.

He also criticized the “persecution” of doctors who refuse to provide abortions, insisting they will be “protected” by the government.

Castile and Leon is the first and only Spanish region governed, in part, by Vox.

After elections in 2022, Vox joined a coalition government with the traditional right-wing Popular Party in the region.

“If just one child that was going to be aborted is born, that would make all the negative consequences of participating in the government worth it,” García-Gallardo said at a news conference.

Before presenting the measures, García-Gallardo explained that it was “chilling" that 2,500 abortions were performed in the region in 2021.

In Spain, abortion is legal upon request during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. It is also available later for situations where the woman's or fetus' health is at risk.

A reform to the abortion law to make it easier for women has been passed by parliament but still needs to be approved by the Senate.