Elisa Menendez
FAR-RIGHT party Vox has threatened to withdraw from its coalition pact with the Partido Popular and Ciudadanos if gender violence laws are not reversed.
Vox, led by Santiago Abascal, has made it clear that it will not support the parties in Andalucian government if they do not revoke Spain’s ‘radical feminist’ gender violence law, among other key points such as bullfighting and hunting.
The PP and Cs have committed to promoting a ‘Great Agreement against Gender Violence in Andalucia’, which will include a ‘social re-education’ programme in a bid to reduce the risk of attacks against women.
But Abascal’s extreme-right party believes that this ‘gender ideology’ treats men as ‘second class citizens’.
“Vox will not give its support if they do not eliminate, among others, this point in their agreement,” read a Tweet shared from the party’s official account.
? PP y Ciudadanos se han comprometido a implementar "con dotación presupuestaria suficiente" las medidas dictadas por la ideología de género y las asociaciones feministas podemitas radicales.
? VOX no les dará su apoyo si no eliminan, entre otros, este punto de su acuerdo. https://t.co/NJydNUmUdx
— VOX ?? (@vox_es) January 2, 2019
Ciudadanos leader, Albert Rivera has clapped back insisting that ‘freedom and equality are non-negotiable’ in the agreement, which is due to be ratified ahead of the official inauguration date of January 16.
“Fighting against gender violence with resources and measures so that no one abuses a woman, is not an option, it is an obligation for everyone,” read a Tweet shared by Rivera.
Luchar contra la violencia machista con recursos y medidas para que nadie abuse de una mujer no es una opción, es una obligación para todos. Firmamos el pacto de Estado y lo aplicaremos en Andalucía y en todas las CCAA que gobernemos. La libertad y la igualdad no se negocian.
— Albert Rivera (@Albert_Rivera) January 2, 2019
It comes at a time when Spain is still mourning the death of 26-year-old Laura Luelmo, who was raped and murdered by her neighbour Bernardo Montoya, 50, last month in Huelva.
The incident re-ignited the global #MeToo movement, inspiring other women to share their stories of assault or fears on social media with the hashtag #TodasSomosLaura, or #WeAreAllLaura.
And yesterday two men were arrested on suspicion of raping a 17-year-old girl on New Year’s Eve in Castellon.
In 2018 some 47 women were killed at the hands of partners or ex partners.
Andalucia was the region with the highest number of women murdered, with a total of 12, while Catalunya saw seven cases, followed by Madrid with five.
