Poland - January 2024

Prime Minister Tusk’s political alliance, the Civic Coalition (KO), has submitted a bill to the lower house of Parliament (the Sejm) to allow abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, and afterwards under specific circumstances such as when the mother’s life is at risk or if there are severe fetal defects. The current law in Poland states that abortion is banned in all situations except for if the mother’s life is at risk or the pregnancy is the result of a crime. The strict laws have caused healthcare workers to be extremely restrictive in performing abortions, often leaving pregnant women without adequate access to healthcare. Donald Tusk’s election platform had promised the liberalization of abortion laws within 100 days of him taking office. However, the issue is deeply divisive and there is disagreement even within the government coalition, where the Third Way (Trzecia Droga, TD) Alliance wants to present the matter to voters in a referendum.

Sources: The Sejm – bill, The Guardian, France 24, Notes from Poland (1), Notes from Poland (2), Euractiv