Polish President Andrzej Duda on Friday vetoed an amendment to Poland’s pharmaceutical law that would have made emergency contraception available without a prescription to young people over 15 years of age.
The president’s veto can be overridden by a three-fifths majority in the lower house of parliament, but this means that the ruling coalition will not be able to muster support.
Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS), which introduced one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, stepped down from its leadership position last October, and the new ruling coalition is not united on changes to the law.
The president’s decision, although not a surprise, caused a wave of comments.
“Emergency contraception will be available regardless of the president’s opinion on the matter, who is basing his decision on superstition rather than medical knowledge,” Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula said.
“Turkey, Serbia, Hungary. And Poland. with the Duda decision,” wrote Civic Coalition MP Krzysztof Brejza, who added that these countries have the most limited access to emergency contraception in Europe.
“Superstition and conservative ideology have defeated science and women’s rights,” wrote Deputy Culture Minister Joanna Schering-Wielgus. “Fortunately, these are the last months of Andrzej Duda’s presidency,” she added.
Duda’s second and final term ends in 2025.
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2024-03-31 14:36:54
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