More than 600 sex offenders could see their prison sentences reduced following legislation recently voted through by a leftist government that has removed the legal distinction between assault and aggravated assault in a European country.

Spain’s „only yes means yes” consent law was proposed by Spanish Equality Minister Irene Montero, a member of the leftist Unidas Podemos group. When the bill was passed last year, it’s alleged goal was to tighten up the country’s existing legislation on sexual consent by creating a new legal framework.

However, the law contained provisions that benefited sex offenders by abolishing the distinction between the categories of abuse and aggravated assault, thus creating the possibility for at least 646 convicted sex offenders to get their prison sentences reduced, because Spanish law allows for the retroactive application of new legislation that may benefit a convicted prisoner serving his sentence. A review found that 646 inmates could be affected by the law, and as many as 65 sex offenders could be released from prison, a recent article published in El Mundo reveals.

The Spanish Supreme Court has received requests from 26 sex offenders to reduce their sentences because of the consent law, and it has already reduced sentences in ten cases, the organisation announced. In at least seven cases brought before the Supreme Court, the victims were children, press reports suggest.

On the early release of sex offenders, the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has pledged to amend the law to stop the sentence cuts, while Equality Minister María Jesus Montero Cuadrado has slammed judges, calling them fascist and sexist for not applying the law properly. However, she defended the recently adopted legislation.

The right-wing VOX party has also voiced sharp criticism against the law and tabled a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. VOX leader Santiago Abascal has made it clear that he intends to use the no-confidence motion to force early national elections and bring down the leftist government.

„We will not pretend democratic normality against the worst government in history,” Mr Abascal said.