Spain Extends Equal Paid Parental Leave to 17 Weeks

Spain has announced a reform extending paid parental leave from 16 to 17 weeks for both mothers and fathers, making it one of Europe's most generous allowances and aligning it with Finland as the only EU countries offering equal fully-paid birth leave to both parents. The government also approved two additional paid weeks of parental leave that can be taken until the child turns eight, with special provisions increasing leave for single-parent families. This move is hailed as a feminist achievement, with four out of ten Spanish men now taking parental leave, reflecting the country's commitment to gender equality. However, the extension falls short of the 20 weeks promised by the ruling Socialist Party and its junior coalition partner during the 2023 election campaign. The reform has been published and will take effect immediately but still requires parliamentary ratification, where further amendments and expansions could be negotiated. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's minority government faces challenges in securing the necessary votes from various political factions, including the hard-left Podemos party, which advocates for longer leave durations.