Polish government proposes abortion law changes amid political disagreements and public protests against restrictions.
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The Polish government, led by Donald Tusk, has begun revising its highly restrictive abortion laws following public protests. Four legislative proposals have passed their first reading, but disagreements among coalition parties are delaying a final decision. The current legislation, which was tightened under the previous PiS government, had very limited exceptions for abortion. The proposed changes vary: one proposal seeks to legalize abortions upon request up to twelve weeks of pregnancy; another aims for something similar while also decriminalizing aiding abortions; and a third proposes reinstating the pre-2021 exception based on fetal harm, while also calling for a referendum. While a small group in the parliamentary family committee favors liberalization up to twelve weeks, external observers suggest further delays are possible due to conservative opposition within the coalition. Furthermore, President Andrzej Duda, who comes from the former PiS party, holds significant power to veto or refer legislation back to the Constitutional Tribunal, and the current government lacks a majority to override such a veto.
