Various non-governmental organizations, notably the association AnimaNaturalis, have filed a Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP) with the Congress of Deputies this week, aiming to repeal the national law that currently protects bullfighting as part of Spain’s cultural heritage. The move signals a broad push from animal welfare advocates to reframe how cultural history is defined and regulated at the national level, a shift that would reallocate certain powers to regional and municipal governments where attitudes toward bullfighting vary widely across the country.
As explained by the ILP promotion commission spokesperson Cristina Ibáñez, the slogan behind the initiative has been framed around the idea that bullfighting is not inherently a core element of Spanish culture. The organizers stressed their optimism, arguing that public awareness has grown over the past decade since the enactment of Law 18/2013, which regulates bullfighting within the framework of cultural heritage, leading to a gradual decline in broad support for the practice.
Ibáñez noted that a potential shift in government composition in Spain could influence the momentum of this cause. While the spokespeople avoided pressuring any single individual, the Minister of Culture’s recent remarks criticizing bullfighting were highlighted as an indicator of a favorable climate for reform. The ILP thus positions itself as part of a broader wave of progressive policy discussion surrounding animal welfare and cultural policy.
The ILP argues that the current state law undermines regional and municipal powers by constraining local authorities who may wish to regulate activities tied to regional cultural heritage. Advocates contend that giving autonomous communities more latitude would better reflect regional values and practices, including how communities choose to balance heritage with evolving social norms.
Statistics cited by proponents are used to challenge the claim that bullfighting remains a steady cultural staple. They point to Ministry of Culture data indicating a notable decrease in public celebrations and bullfights over the last decade, arguing that the practice has become less embedded in everyday life than it once appeared. Critics, however, describe the data as incomplete and question whether declines reflect diminished interest or broader political and economic factors.
Ibáñez emphasized that the central obstacle lies in the way autonomous communities are legally constrained from regulating bullfighting when it is treated as cultural heritage, describing the current framework as overly rigid. The discussion underscores a tension between national coherence and regional autonomy, a recurring theme in Spain’s diverse cultural landscape. The ILP therefore calls for a recalibration of the balance of powers to empower local authorities to reflect their communities’ evolving values.
Chronicling participation in bullfighting, the coalition cited survey data suggesting limited public engagement in bullfighting events and modest attendance rates among those who opt to attend. They presented figures claiming that only a small fraction of surveyed individuals actively participated in or attended bullfights, with many visits occurring at reduced prices or even free entry. Critics argue that such statistics must be interpreted with caution and placed within the broader context of cultural tourism, regional funding, and the availability of alternative cultural experiences.
Once the Congressional Board accepts the ILP, organizations would have up to nine months to gather half a million signatures from civil society. If the threshold is met, the bill would proceed through ordinary parliamentary channels. The immediate objective behind submitting the ILP on this date is to secure timely consideration before the current legislative session ends, maximizing the chance of achieving a parliamentary majority in favor.