Polish lawmakers have taken a significant step towards ending the country's near-total abortion ban. The parliament voted on four different proposals to ease restrictions on abortions, signaling a potential shift in women's rights in the country.
One of the proposals, put forth by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's party, seeks to legalize abortion up to 12 weeks, aligning Poland more closely with some Western European countries. However, these changes may face opposition from President Andrzej Duda, who is associated with the right-wing Law and Justice party.
The current abortion law in Poland, introduced in 2020, virtually bans all abortions. This law has faced criticism and backlash, contributing to Tusk's election victory over the Law and Justice party last year.
While Tusk has promised to repeal the existing law, there is a divide within his ruling coalition on how to proceed. In addition to the 12-week proposal, another plan by the center-right Third Way party aims to revert abortion laws to their pre-2020 state.
Prior to the recent restrictions, abortion in Poland was only permitted in cases of rape or incest, when the mother's life was at risk, or in instances of fetal abnormalities.
The votes in parliament mark the beginning of a lengthy legislative process to relax Poland's strict abortion laws, which are among the toughest in Europe. If a bill reaches President Duda, it will increase pressure on him to reconsider the current unpopular stance on abortion.
With an upcoming election to replace Duda scheduled for next May, Prime Minister Tusk will likely seek to rally support from women voters by advocating for changes to the abortion laws. The outcome of this ongoing debate will have significant implications for women's rights and reproductive health in Poland.
