Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy yesterday scrapped proposed changes in the abortion law that would have made Spain one of the most difficult countries in Europe in which to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, prompting the justice minister to resign.

The bill had proposed allowing abortion only in the case of rape or if the pregnancy posed a serious health risk to the mother. It had deeply divided the centre-right People’s Party (PP) as well as being un-popular with the electorate.

“As president of the government, I have taken the most sensible decision,” Rajoy told reporters in Madrid.

Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, architect of the proposed reform, resigned. The former mayor of Madrid said he would leave politics.

Rajoy said the subject of abortion stirred up great differences of opinion and the government had done all it could to reach consensus.

Opposition politicians welcomed the move.

“We are celebrating this withdrawal,” said Carmen Monton of the opposition Socialists. “It was about time Rajoy realised he cannot meddle with women’s freedom.”

Rajoy said the government would instead look to modify existing law so that young women of 16 and 17 could not terminate a pregnancy without their parents’ consent.

The government would take measures to support families by the end of the year, he said, without elaborating.

The ruling PP had promised abortion reform in its 2011 campaign, but the bill announced last year angered women’s groups and led to huge street protests and complaints from leading doctors.

Polls showed most Spaniards rejected it. The PP has an absolute majority in parliament, allowing it to pass laws without other parties’ support, but this proposed reform had stirred dissent amongst its own members.

“We will continue to look for ways to reach the widest consensus,” said Rajoy.

“We cannot have a law that will change within the first 30 seconds of a new government entering power.”