Parliament Votes to Ease Strict Abortion Restrictions
Lawmakers in Poland have made a significant move by voting in favor of measures to relax the country’s near-total ban on abortion. The decision, which came on Friday, has set the stage for a potential clash over women’s rights with the country’s conservative president.
Proposed Changes and Opposition from President Duda
The parliamentarians endorsed several proposals to ease the abortion restrictions, including one from Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s party to decriminalize abortions up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy. However, President Andrzej Duda, aligned with the staunchly conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS), is expected to oppose these changes.
Current Law and Consequences
Poland’s current abortion law, introduced in 2020 by a PiS-backed court, is considered one of the strictest in Europe. It allows for abortions only in extremely limited circumstances, leading to tragic outcomes where expectant mothers have died due to complications from denied procedures.
Public Opinion and Potential Referendum
Despite the deep divisions within Polish society on the issue, a November 2022 survey revealed that 70% of respondents supported legal abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy. Calls for a national referendum on the matter have been proposed, which could further pressure President Duda to reconsider his stance on the existing laws.
Implications of the Vote
The measures voted on Friday were not immediate legislation but rather serve as the basis for potential future bills. The shift in attitudes, indicated by public opinion polls and Prime Minister Tusk’s election win, suggests a changing landscape in one of Europe’s traditionally conservative nations.