Lawmakers in Poland have given their approval to measures aimed at easing the country’s near-total ban on abortion. This move sets the stage for a potential clash over women’s rights with the conservative president of the country. The parliamentarians voted in favor of various proposals to relax the restrictions on abortion, including a proposal from Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s party to decriminalize abortions up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy.
President Andrzej Duda, aligned with the conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS), is expected to oppose the proposals.
Poland has been widely criticized for its current abortion law, which is considered one of the strictest in Europe. The law, implemented in 2020 with the support of PiS, only allows for abortions in very specific situations. Disturbingly, even cases of severe fetal abnormalities or rape do not qualify for legal abortion under the current legislation.
Having an abortion in Poland or assisting someone in obtaining one can result in different punishments depending on the situation. However, even promoting or aiding in the procedure can lead to a potential prison sentence of up to three years.
In recent years, there have been cases where expectant mothers have lost their lives due to complications because doctors were reluctant to terminate their pregnancies, fearing the possibility of facing prosecution.
Lawmakers have shown their support for two bills that seek to decriminalize abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, another bill aims to decriminalize abortion entirely.
Poland’s abortion laws have become a contentious issue for the government, despite previous promises to liberalize them. The country is now faced with the challenge of determining the extent to which it can support these changes. This debate has highlighted the deep divisions within Polish society, with some advocating for increased reproductive freedoms and others vehemently opposing any relaxation of the existing restrictions.
Szymon Holownia, the president of the parliament, has put forward a proposal to organize a national referendum regarding this matter. If the referendum results favor a relaxation of the restrictions, it would further intensify the pressure on Duda. Until now, Duda has consistently vetoed any attempts to modify the current laws that were introduced by his political allies.
According to a survey conducted in November 2022 in Poland, it was found that 70% of the respondents are in favor of legal abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy. This suggests a broad public support for a relaxation of the existing laws.
The measures voted on Friday were not actual legislation, but rather proposals that could serve as a foundation for future bills. Together with public opinion polls and Prime Minister Tusk’s victory in the December election over incumbent Mateusz Morawiecki, a right-wing nationalist of the PiS party, it suggests a broader change in attitudes within Poland. Over the past decade, Poland has increasingly leaned towards conservatism, making it one of Europe’s most conservative-leaning nations.
