Spain reforms abortion law

Spain is to reform its abortion law to make parental permission mandatory for 16- and 17-year-olds seeking to end pregnancies.

The former Socialist government updated a 1985 law in 2010 to allow abortions without restrictions in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy and for 16- and 17-year-olds to have the operation without their parents’ permission.

Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz Gallardon made the announcement in parliament but gave no details of other potential changes to the legislation or when the reform would be presented.