Sumar, a coalition party in Spain led by Vice President Yolanda Diaz, is planning to reject the consideration of a proposed law by the PSOE against procuring (the inducement to prostitution) in Congress on Tuesday. Historically, the issue has divided the coalition’s smaller partner, with some supporting regulation of prostitution rather than its prohibition, while others advocate for abolition. Ahead of the upcoming European elections, the coalition has reached a consensus position after intense debates among its member parties. The rejection of the bill by Sumar now leaves the fate of the Socialist proposal in the hands of the PP, which could grant the PSOE a parliamentary victory just days before the campaign for the elections on June 9th.
The Socialist proposal is similar to the one presented in 2022, with some modifications such as the removal of a point that was already included in the Sexual Freedom Law, and an increase in the range of penalties for those who promote or facilitate prostitution for profit. The proposed punishment has been raised from one to three years to two to four years in prison. Two years ago, the content of this text was an amendment to the Yes Means Yes Law which was in the process of being passed. However, no agreement was reached with their then coalition partner, Unidas Podemos. The main objective of the proposed law is to combat procuring, which involves profiting from prostitution and facilitating the practice through the rental of properties for this purpose. The PSOE argues that around 45,000 women are sexually exploited in Spain, with very few convictions of procurers, leading to the necessity of this law to ultimately abolish prostitution.
Criticism within Sumar has been directed towards the PSOE for their handling of the proposed law, accusing them of attempting to divide the coalition and exploit feminism for electoral gains. The issue of prostitution has different sensitivities within the political spectrum of Sumar, with some advocating for regulation rather than prohibition, while others support complete abolition. The decision to reject the proposal by Sumar reflects the compromise reached by all parties in the coalition after deliberation. The fate of the PSOE’s proposal now rests on the decision of the PP, which could potentially impact the outcome of the upcoming elections.
The debate over the proposed law against procuring in Spain highlights the complexities and differences of opinion within the political landscape on the issue of prostitution. While some advocate for regulation with labor conditions for women who engage in prostitution, others support a total ban on the practice. The PSOE’s initiative seeks to address the exploitation of women in the sex industry and increase penalties for those involved in profiting from prostitution. The rejection of the proposal by Sumar reflects the challenges of reaching consensus within a coalition government on controversial issues such as this.
With the political landscape in Spain divided over the issue of prostitution, the rejection of the PSOE’s proposed law against procuring by Sumar underscores the challenges of addressing this complex and sensitive topic. The differing views within the coalition partners highlight the need for careful consideration and debate to reach a consensus on how best to address the problems associated with prostitution in the country. As the debate continues, the fate of the proposed law now rests in the hands of the PP, whose decision could have significant implications for the upcoming elections and the broader political landscape in Spain.
