Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s ongoing debate over abortion has once again exposed ideological fractures within the conservative Partido Popular (PP). What began as an attempt by party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo to reassure women of their rights has turned into a full-scale political row, drawing a sharp response from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Speaking in Madrid, Feijóo moved to calm speculation that his party might seek to alter Spain’s abortion legislation. His tone was steady, positioning himself as a centrist voice within a divided party.
“I will always guarantee that right,” he said. “Abortion is regulated by law, and I will respect that.” Feijóo stressed the importance of accurate information and safe medical care for women, warning against turning the issue into a political battleground.
Ayuso reignites the moral argument
Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso, however, reignited controversy by suggesting that many women who terminate pregnancies do not do so freely but under social or financial pressure. She called for better counselling, more support for those who regret their decision, and an end to the “silence” surrounding them.
Her remarks, which appealed to conservative sensibilities, provoked widespread criticism and discomfort within the PP. They also reignited Spain’s broader cultural debate over women’s autonomy and state responsibility.
Party tensions laid bare
Feijóo quickly distanced himself from Ayuso’s comments, seeking to prevent the PP from being drawn back into moral divisions that risk alienating centrist voters. “I do not intend to reopen the debate,” he reiterated. “The law will be respected.”
According to El País, Feijóo’s focus is to avoid internal polarisation and preserve unity within the PP. His leadership depends on balancing traditional conservative values with the modern realities of Spanish society.
Sánchez enters the debate
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez broke his silence with a forceful message on X (formerly Twitter), directly criticising Ayuso’s stance.
“Esta era la libertad que prometía Ayuso.
Volver a los viajes clandestinos a Londres. Al clasismo y al señalamiento. Volver 50 años atrás.
No lo vamos a permitir.
El Gobierno usará todos los instrumentos legales a su alcance para garantizar que los derechos y la dignidad de las mujeres se respetan, también en Madrid. Y, si hace falta, llegaremos hasta la Constitución y el Constitucional.”
His statement drew a clear line between the Socialist government’s defence of existing abortion rights and what he described as conservative attempts to “turn back the clock.” It was also a calculated move to underline the divisions inside the opposition and position his administration as the guardian of women’s freedoms.
Between freedom of choice and emotional support
Despite their differences, both Feijóo and Ayuso agree that women need reliable information and proper support. Where they diverge is in emphasis: Feijóo focuses on preserving legal stability, while Ayuso highlights the emotional and social complexities that accompany abortion decisions.
Their contrasting views expose the underlying struggle within the PP to reconcile modern politics with moral conservatism—an issue that continues to shadow Spanish society four decades after abortion was first legalised.
Abortions in Spain marked the highest figure in a decade.
A continuing fault line in Spanish politics
Abortion has been legal in Spain since 1985 and further liberalised in 2010. Yet, as this week’s exchange shows, the subject remains charged with political and emotional tension.
Feijóo’s moderation aims to reassure, but Ayuso’s remarks—and Sánchez’s fierce response—have thrust the issue back into the national spotlight. Once again, the debate over abortion is testing not only Spain’s political unity but also its commitment to protecting women’s rights in the face of deep ideological divides.