Madrid - The Spanish government Saturday approved legislation making it easier to procure an abortion in a country where abortions are basically banned under present laws. The legislation passed by the cabinet of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero still requires an absolute majority approval in parliament before becoming law.
It provides for abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy - or up to 22 weeks in the case of the pregnant woman's health being at risk or the foetus being badly deformed.
It also provides for girls aged between 16 and 18 to have abortions without their parents' consent - a provision that met with especially stiff public opposition.
The current law allows abortions only in exceptional circumstances such as after rape, or where a foetus is deformed, or when a pregnant woman's physical or mental health is deemed at risk.
