The president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and the head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez, have starred this Friday in a confrontation on social networks regarding feminism. The exchange of reproaches began after the opposition leader announced that he would eliminate the Ministry of Equality as an independent department if he reaches Moncloa and proposed reopening the debate on abortion for minors.
Sánchez reacted to these statements by accusing the popular leader of wanting to cut women's rights. Feijóo, for his part, responded with a post on X in which he recalled various controversies related to the PSOE and the president of the Government's environment, including accusations linked to prostitution and sexual harassment.
Prostitutas con dinero público.
— Alberto Núñez Feijóo (@NunezFeijoo) October 23, 2026
Pisos para amantes.
Orgías en pandemia.
Acosadores en Moncloa.
Carrera política con el dinero de la prostitución.
Las lecciones de feminismo @sanchezcastejon, te las puedes ahorrar. https://t.co/4Wh237oXDf
"Prostitutes with public money. Apartments for lovers. Orgies in a pandemic. Harassers in Moncloa. Political career with the money from prostitution," wrote the leader of the PP, before concluding with a message directed straight at Sánchez: "You can save the lessons of feminism".
The Ministry of Equality and Abortion
The controversy has its origin in an interview granted this Friday by Feijóo to Cadena SER, in which he confirmed that he will eliminate the Ministry of Equality as an independent department if he reaches Moncloa. The leader of the PP explained that its competencies would be integrated into other portfolios and questioned the dedication of the current head of the department.
"The Minister of Equality cannot work from 8 to 3 and then take the AVE to spend the afternoon in Valladolid. I am going to ask the minister or the minister in charge of equality to take care of other things," he stated.
When asked if he considers himself a feminist, Feijóo answered affirmatively and referred to his family experience. "How can I not be a feminist if I grew up with many more women than men," he pointed out, before defending equal rights and acknowledging that there is still a wage gap between men and women.
During the interview, abortion was another of the issues that generated controversy. The president of the PP guaranteed that women will have access to the necessary healthcare to voluntarily terminate their pregnancy within the law, although he defended the right of healthcare professionals to conscientious objection.
Regarding minors aged 16 and 17, he suggested that their parents should, at least, know the decision. "Do you find it normal that a 16-year-old girl needs parental authorization to get a tattoo and not for a vital, transcendent, and irreversible decision?" he asked.
On the cases where parents oppose abortion, he avoided specifying a solution and assured that this is precisely the debate he wants to open. He also committed to offering economic alternatives to women who wish to become mothers and have difficulties facing the expenses.
Sánchez responds
The statements of the popular leader provoked a reaction from Sánchez, who used his social networks to question the PP's proposals on equality and reproductive rights.
"Feijóo is so feminist that he proposes to eliminate the Ministry of Equality and cut the right of women to decide about their own body", wrote the president of the Government, accompanying his message with a video of the interview of the popular leader.
Sánchez also questioned the argument used by Feijóo to define himself as feminist. "Growing up among women does not make you feminist. Defending their rights does," he added.