The Spanish Government has proposed to introduce tough new laws that will criminalise abortion except in the case of rape or where there is a serious physical or psychological risk to the health of the mother.
The proposals, brought forward by the Popular Party Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, will repeal legislation introduced by the Socialist Government in 2010 which created a "right" to abortion, and enabled women to have an abortion for any reason up to the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.
If passed, the new legislation will make Spain the first country in the 28-member EU to reverse, at least in part, laws permitting widespread access to abortion.