The new government wants to take steps that would drastically change the policy implemented by the previous ruling party “Law and Justice”. Two separate bills for these changes are currently facing opposition, and it is unclear whether they will gain enough support to make it to a vote in parliament.
Even if it succeeds, conservative President Andrzej Duda could veto them.
A new pro-European coalition has pledged to liberalize abortion laws in Poland, where the issue has sparked mass protests.
Two of the coalition parties have included abortion liberalization in their programs – they have also included this point in their party programs.
“We are ready to submit a bill to parliament in the next few hours on legal and safe abortions up to the 12th week,” Tusk told reporters.
Meanwhile, the third coalition maker – the centrist party “Trešais cejs” – has not officially expressed its opinion on this topic.
No date has yet been set for when parliament will vote on the two proposals.
The prime minister also previously outlined plans to ease restrictions on the use of emergency contraceptive pills.
“This issue is finished, the bill will be sent to parliament,” he said, adding that the proposal aims to ensure free access to birth control pills from the age of 15.
“A great moment for all of us! We are returning women’s right to decide for themselves,” the Polish Ministry of Health wrote on social media after Tusk’s announcement.
Abortion is currently legal in Poland only if the pregnancy is the result of sexual violence or incest or threatens the life or health of the mother.
However, according to women’s rights organizations, many thousands of women end their pregnancies at home, using illegal abortion pills or traveling abroad.
As assisted abortions are banned in Poland, activists and doctors who assist with the procedure face prison terms.
In the first case of its kind, in March 2023, activist Justine Widžinska was found guilty of supplying a pregnant woman with abortion pills. She was sentenced to community service.
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2024-01-24 20:01:26
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