Overview

• Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent formal letters to the leaders of Aragón, Asturias, the Balearic Islands and the Community of Madrid instructing them to establish registries of conscientious objectors for abortion services.
• The regions were given three months to comply, with the government warning it will trigger legal mechanisms if the registries are not created in time.
• The registries are mandated by Spain’s updated abortion law and their implementation protocol was approved by the national health council in December 2024.
• Government officials argue that the absence of registries effectively limits women’s access to a legal right and stress that conscientious objection cannot obstruct care in the public health system.
• The measure is intended to ensure equal access regardless of residence, and it targets three regions governed by the PP and one led by the PSOE.