The initiative, promoted by the governing team of the Popular Party (PP) and linked to budget agreements with Vox, aims to support maternity. The agreement will allow Redmadre, a non-profit organization, to provide assistance services to pregnant women and their children during the first years of life.
The spokesperson for the governing team, Cristina Cutanda, detailed that the agreement is part of the "assistance policy" of the Department of Social Welfare. The objective is to assist pregnant women "at risk of social exclusion or emotionally abandoned", as well as their children up to two or three years old, promoting healthy lifestyle habits.
The project plans to assist 45 pregnant women or new mothers at risk of social exclusion, with a minimum of 5 referred by Alicante Social Services in emergency cases. The aim is to cover the basic needs of the children and support mothers in difficult situations.
Cutanda noted that the signing of the agreement replaces the tender for a similar contract that was halted due to duplicities detected by a technical report. This agreement is part of the commitments made with the municipal group of Vox.
The approval of the agreement has drawn criticism from progressive opposition groups. The spokesperson for the PSOE, Ana Barceló, accused Barcala of "giving in to Vox" and "injecting 30,000 euros of public resources" into an "anti-abortion" organization. Barceló argues that support for pregnant women should come from public healthcare and municipal social services, not from ideological "front organizations".
The councilor for Compromís, Sara Llobell, called the agreement "shameful", arguing that it allocates public funds to a "pro-life" entity that goes "against the freedom of decision and reproductive rights". Llobell expressed doubts about the legality of the agreement and the neutrality of the information that Redmadre will provide.
In contrast, the spokesperson for Vox, Carmen Robledillo, welcomed the signing of the agreement, emphasizing that "life comes first" and that the agreement will offer "real accompaniment and help" to vulnerable pregnant mothers. Sources from Vox expressed their satisfaction, considering it a "firm step in the defense of maternity and life".
