Polish lawmakers voted to move forward with proposals to lift a near-total ban on abortion in the country, which has one of the most restrictive laws in Europe. The lower house of parliament voted to work on four separate bills, with two of them proposing to legalize abortion through the 12th week of pregnancy. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s party is seeking to change the law to allow women to terminate pregnancies up to the 12th week, in line with European norms. Tusk sees this as a move towards defending the fundamental rights of women.
Despite facing opposition within the government, Tusk is supported by the Left, a member of his three-party coalition that backs liberalizing abortion rights. Abortion rights advocates see the decision to continue work on the bills as a positive step, though they do not expect immediate changes to the law. The Women’s Strike organization, which led protests against the restrictive abortion laws, noted that it was the first time since 1996 that bills liberalizing abortion access were not dropped in a primary vote.
President Andrzej Duda, a conservative who would likely veto any liberalization bill, remains in office until 2025. He previously vetoed a bill that would have made the morning-after pill available over-the-counter. Abortion opponents in the country, where Catholicism has been a key part of national identity, are also mobilizing. The Catholic church has called for a day of prayer in defense of conceived life, while an anti-abortion demonstration is being planned in Warsaw.
Currently, abortions in Poland are only allowed in cases of rape, incest, or if the woman’s life or health is at risk. Reproductive rights advocates argue that even in these cases, women face obstacles in accessing abortion services. Many Polish women are already obtaining abortions through pills mailed from abroad, with an estimated 120,000 abortions carried out annually by women living in Poland. One of the bills under consideration seeks to decriminalize assisting a woman in having an abortion, which is currently punishable by three years in prison.
Overall, the move to liberalize abortion laws in Poland is seen as a significant development, marking a shift away from the country’s historically restrictive stance on reproductive rights. The ongoing debate reflects broader societal changes in Poland, where the Catholic faith has traditionally influenced policy decisions. As the country grapples with the issue, advocates on both sides are gearing up for further discussions and potential legislative changes in the coming months.
