Spain is facing an increasingly-emotional debate, with church and state at odds over abortion. Anti-abortionists say animals are better-protected in Spain than babies, after the government proposed lowering the time-limit on terminations to 14 weeks. The Catholic Church is horrified.

“Strict Church doctrine says no true Catholic believer can agree with or support this move,” said Juan Antonio Martínez Camino, a spokesman for the Spanish Bishops Conference. Spanish law currently allows abortion only in cases of rape, if a foetus is damaged, or if the mother’s health is in danger. But the proposals have split the country, annoying even government supporters. However, José Antonio Alonso, Socialist Party spokesman said: “Laws are made in parliament, according to political criteria and constitutional rights and freedoms. Not according to private morals and personal convictions. Laws are made in public, with regard to the constitution.” The government has been trying to shift public debate to social issues, and away from the recession and the economy. But one recent poll found that more than half of Socialist voters are against the abortion proposals, which would allow girls as young as 16 to have a termination without parental consent.More about: Spain

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