Poland's parliament embarks on a contentious debate over abortion laws, reflecting societal divisions and political tensions.
Poland's parliament embarks on a contentious debate over abortion laws, reflecting societal divisions and political tensions.
Women’s rights were rolled back during the eight-year rule of the previous right-wing Polish government, with the tightening of already strict abortion laws sparking mass rallies. “The state can’t pretend that abortion doesn’t exist — they’re being done, always have and always will,” Katarzyna Kotula, the equality minister told parliament.“The state must do everything to ensure that abortion is safe, accessible, legal and takes place in appropriate conditions,” she added.Debate started with a bill to legalise abortion until the 12th week of pregnancy, submitted by Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition, and three other proposals by its partners.
In case of a standoff, Tusk’s coalition may have to wait until presidential elections next year, hoping for Duda’s ouster by a liberal candidate, as it does not have the required three-fifths majority to overturn a presidential veto.“Bills of similar content have been discussed in the parliament many times over the past 30 years but none of them was ever forwarded for further committee proceedings,” Krystyna Kacpura, head of the Federation for Women and Family Planning, told AFP.
Tusk’s coalition controls 248 of the 460 seats in parliament’s lower chamber, with the PSL holding 32 seats. A majority requires 231 votes.Abortion assistance is also outlawed in Poland, with activists and doctors who help with the procedure risking jail.
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