Spain's far-right party Vox would abolish law allowing abortion

(This July 7 story has been refiled to say ‘appropriate,’ not ‘inappropriate,’ in paragraph 6)

MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s far-right party Vox has unveiled its election manifesto, proposing the abolition of current laws on abortion and euthanasia. The 169-page document, released at the start of the campaign for Spain’s snap election on July 23, declares, “We defend the right to life from conception to natural death.”

In December, Spain’s parliament passed a sexual and reproductive health law permitting girls aged 16 and 17 to undergo abortions without parental consent. Vox intends to repeal this law, along with the Trans Law passed by Spain’s left-wing coalition government, which allows transgender people aged 14 and over to change their legal gender without the need for psychological evaluation. However, teenagers aged 14-16 would still require parental or guardian approval under the law.

Vox promises to enhance parental control over sex education in schools, granting parents the authority to veto any teachings they deem inappropriate. In terms of taxation, Vox plans to simplify income tax, with a lower rate of 15% for those earning €70,000 per year and 25% for higher earners.

The party also pledges a naval blockade to prevent the entry of illegal migrants crossing the sea from Africa to Spanish shores. Currently the third largest party in the Spanish parliament with 52 lawmakers, Vox is a potential coalition partner for the conservative People’s Party (PP), which currently leads the polls ahead of the ruling Socialist Party.

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(Reporting by Graham Keeley; Editing by Sandra Maler)