Spain Rejects Bullfighting Protection Initiative
ILP “It is not my culture” – Outcome & Details
This report summarizes the outcome and key details surrounding the processing of the popular legislative initiative (ILP) titled “It is not my culture,” concerning bullfighting in Spain.
Summary:
The ILP was rejected by the Congress of Deputies on Tuesday. The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ party) abstained from voting, leading to more “no” votes than “yes” votes, despite the initiative having garnered over 600,000 signatures.
Key Players & Positions:
* Sumar (Yolanda Díaz): Voted in favor of processing the ILP. Strongly criticized the PSOE for not supporting the initiative, arguing they ignored the will of over 660,000 citizens.
* PSOE: Abstained from voting, ultimately leading to the ILP’s rejection. Argued the State should not define what constitutes culture.
* PP (People’s Party): Voted against the ILP. Argued culture should not be used as an “electoral tool” and that bullfighting is a part of Spanish culture.
* Vox: Voted against the ILP.
* UPN: Voted against the ILP.
ILP Objectives:
The ILP aimed to:
* Repeal Law 18/2013: this law defines bullfighting as cultural heritage.
* Transfer Authority to Autonomous Communities: Give regional governments the power to decide whether to prohibit bullfighting, rather than having a national-level decision.
* Prevent national “Armoring” of Bullfighting: Stop the attempt to declare bullfighting a protected cultural asset nationwide.
Signature Validation Data:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Signatures Collected | 715,606 |
| Signatures Validated (CEB) | 664,777 |
| Minimum Required | 500,000 |
| Validation Percentage | ~93% |
Statements & Quotes:
* Sumar (regarding PSOE): “In Spain there is a social majority that rejects animal abuse and today the PSOE has been against that majority.”
* PP Deputy María Soledad Cruz-Guzmán: “Culture should not grope as an electoral tool.”
* PSOE Deputy Maribel García López: “The role of the State is not saying what culture is or what is not.”
Further Context:
The debate highlighted differing views on animal rights, cultural heritage, and the role of the state versus regional governments in regulating cultural practices. The ILP’s failure demonstrates the political complexities surrounding this issue in Spain.
– ahmedhassan