March 27, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Spaniards overwhelmingly support a law that seeks to foster female participation in politics, according to a poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser. 80.4 per cent of respondents think the Equality Law is positive, and 76 per cent support having the same amount of men and women in electoral lists.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Spaniards overwhelmingly support a law that seeks to foster female participation in politics, according to a poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser. 80.4 per cent of respondents think the Equality Law is positive, and 76 per cent support having the same amount of men and women in electoral lists.

In addition, 68.7 per cent of respondents support the law's section establishing that corporate boards of businesses should also have the same number of men and women.

Socialist Worker's Party (PSOE) leader José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was sworn in as president in April 2004, following his party's victory in the legislative ballot. The Popular Party (PP) had administered the government under José María Aznar since 1996. The PSOE made several promises during the campaign concerning the introduction of legislation to promote sexual and gender equality in Spain.

Spain's Equality Law was approved by the Congress on Mar. 15. During the pre-vote debate, Zapatero declared: "Today is the first day of a different society." The final tally in the 350-seat Congress was 192-0, with 119 abstentions. All PP members abstained, claiming the bill is "too interventionist."

The law will be applied for the first time in May's regional and municipal ballots. Zapatero's 16-member Cabinet includes eight women, a first in Spain.

Zapatero's government has passed several bills regarding sexual liberties, including one that legalized same-sex marriage. In November 2006, the Congress approved legislation that will allow people who have been diagnosed with gender-identity disorder to legally change their gender, without the need for surgery.

Polling Data

The Congress is about to approve the Equality Law. Do you think this is a positive law?

Yes	80.4%
No	6.9%

The law establishes that electoral lists should have the same number of men and women. Do you support or oppose this measure?

Support	76.0%
Oppose	17.5%

The law also establishes that the corporate boards of businesses should also have the same number of men and women. Do you support or oppose this measure?

Support	68.7%
Oppose	20.9%

Source: Instituto Opina / Cadena Ser
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted on Mar. 15, 2007. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.