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Sanchez Vows to Protect Abortion Rights in Spain’s Constitution

The Spanish president warns of potential cuts to social and economic rights under far-right governments.

On Saturday, Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s President and secretary of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), pledged that if his party governs in the next legislative term, he will strengthen the right to abortion and enshrine its protection in the Constitution.

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During a pre-campaign rally in Granada, he also said he would keep euthanasia “standing as an achievement” and warned of cuts to social and economic rights that could be implemented by governments led by the conservative People’s Party (PP) or the far-right Vox party.

He began his speech by reading the poem “New Songs” by Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca in front of a special guest, singer Miguel Rios. The reading was a nod to the poet’s hometown, as Hispanist Ian Gibson had sent Sanchez an email asking him to include Lorca in his speech, coinciding with the 90th anniversary of the poet’s death.

Sanchez was particularly harsh on Alberto Nuñez-Feijoo, leader of the People’s Party, accusing him of trivializing and bargaining over women’s rights.

DIRECTO | Pedro Sánchez lee el poema 'Cantos nuevos' de Lorca en el mitin de Granada: "Esta es la España que no tiene miedo a su cultura, que no borra su cultura para vivir confortablemente" https://t.co/VWsIfGJLg7 pic.twitter.com/HNJKrfnjG3

— elDiario.es (@eldiarioes) October 24, 2026

The text reads, “Pedro Sanchez reads Lorca’s poem ‘New Songs’ at a rally in Granada: ‘This is the Spain that is not afraid of its culture, that does not erase its culture in order to live comfortably.’

“I don’t know whether Feijoo’s position stems from insolence or sectarianism,” Sanchez said, before criticizing the PP leader for calling himself a feminist because he grew up surrounded by women. He was referring to a statement the opposition leader made in an interview on Friday.

“Being a feminist does not mean growing up surrounded by women. Being a feminist does not mean cutting women’s rights. No man will ever again have a say in or control women’s rights and bodies,” the Spanish president said.

Sanchez also asked why all far-right politicians, such as Argentine President Javier Milei and U.S. President Donald Trump, “look to Spain.”

He answered his own question: “I’m very clear about that. They come because this government and this nation, Spain, are living proof that hope is far more effective than the hatred they spread.”

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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Hundreds of thousands march in France as protests take place across Europe – as it happened

French police have made 1,000 arrests and Italian officers have raided homes in Milan, with protests also taking place in Spain and Albania

Jesse, 40, a charity worker from the north of Paris, had turned out for the street march.

She said: “I’m so angry. I’m here to support schoolchildren’s demands for better conditions. I’m so proud of them and we have to stand together.”

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© Photograph: Abdul Saboor/Reuters

© Photograph: Abdul Saboor/Reuters

© Photograph: Abdul Saboor/Reuters

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‘It’s part of our history’: can the menú del día survive Spain’s changing eating habits?

Established under the Franco dictatorship, the lunchtime ritual is in decline but all is not lost

A little before lunchtime each working day across Spain, evidence of one of the lingering, if less notorious, legacies of the Franco dictatorship is carefully traced in chalk, marker pen and printer ink.

Beckoning to hungry workers from blackboards, whiteboards and pieces of paper hastily taped to windows, the competitively priced menú del día, or daily set-price lunch, has been part of everyday Spanish life for more than half a century. But while 4m menús are still served each weekday, Spain is slowly losing its appetite for the familiar ritual.

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© Photograph: Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images

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