Tom PowellNEARLY two thirds of women who have had an abortion in the last four months would do it illegally or abroad under the proposed restrictions.
The Clinics Association for Termination of Pregnancy found that 32% of women would have sought an abortion in another country, while 30% would have done it in secret.
The move to allow terminations only in cases of rape or endangerment of the mother’s health have sparked outrage, with at least ten thousand turning out for the protest in Madrid last weekend.
It is considered to be favouring illegal abortions and encouraging women with greater financial resources to go abroad to terminate pregnancies.At the moment Spanish law allows abortion up to the 14th week of pregnancy or up to 22 weeks in cases of foetal deformities.
If it’s enacted the proposed new rules would make Spain one of the most restrictive nations in Europe on abortion.
It was proposed by the prime minister in an apparent attempt to rally core conservative support.
Last month, the conservative Popular Party succeeded in passing the bill despite opposition hopes that the secret ballot would split the ruling party.
