Form still unclear

Poland’s parliament votes in favor of liberal abortion law

Polish activists campaigning for the right to abortion(Bild: AFP)

Poland's parliament voted in favor of a more liberal abortion law on Friday. However, it is still unclear exactly what form this will take. Four draft laws are now being examined.

As reported , the three coalition partners agree that the abortion law must be relaxed, but not on how far this should go. The draft law of Donald Tusk's (head of government, note) party provides for the complete legalization of abortions up to the twelfth week, which would correspond roughly to the time limit regulation in Austria. The left-wing alliance Lewica demands the same, but also wants impunity.

The Christian-conservative "Third Way" party, on the other hand, is proposing a return to the so-called compromise solution that was in place until the Constitutional Court's ruling in 2020. This would mean that abortions would only be legal in Poland after a crime or in the event of danger to the pregnant woman or foetus.

Compromise possible?
The special committee is now to examine four draft laws and try to reconcile the positions. That alone is a difficult undertaking. If it succeeds, however, there is another hurdle: President Andrzej Duda, who comes from the national conservative PiS party, could stop the law by veto.

Poland currently has one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. Since 2020, abortion has only been permitted after rape, incest or if the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. Malformations of the fetus are no exception to the ban.