Calay News
The Popular Party and Vox have filed appeals of unconstitutionality against two laws in Spain and, at the same time, have eliminated the Equality Councils in the City Councils where they have reached agreements. The rights of LGTBI people and women are the subject of public debate in the country, especially in the context of the general elections to be held next July 23.
On International LGTBI Pride Day, the Official State Gazette published two appeals of unconstitutionality filed by the Popular Party, the main opposition party, and by Vox, an ultra-right-wing party that aspires to be the third political force in Parliament. These appeals target laws that guarantee the rights of LGTBI people and women and have placed Spain at the international forefront on these issues.
The Popular Party’s appeal focuses on gender self-determination, which is a key advance in the legislation by eliminating the pathologization of trans people. The party opposes the idea that people over sixteen years of age can request by themselves the rectification of their registered sex, as well as that people between 14 and 16 years of age can do so with the consent of their legal representatives. They also oppose the elimination of the obligation to present medical or psychological reports for the rectification of the registry and to allow the correction of the mention of sex after six months.
For its part, Vox has appealed the Organic Law on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy in its majority. The party opposes the right to abortion up to the 14th week of gestation, which has been in force in Spain for 13 years, and the right of women over 16 years of age to have an abortion without the consent of their legal representatives. In addition, they challenge provisions related to the gender approach in health, educational and social policies, health research with a gender perspective, and support for non-profit organizations working on sexual and reproductive health and rights, among other aspects.
These resources and the debate around LGTBI and women’s rights have led conservative parties, especially Vox, to impose conditions on the Popular Party to form governments in different autonomous communities. In some cases, Equality Councils have been eliminated or modified, which has generated concern since these institutions are responsible for managing resources to promote gender equality, combat gender violence, and support vulnerable groups. These changes have taken place in several important municipalities and cities in Spain.
