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Abortion in Poland: Little prospect of relief
Prime Minister Tusk is finally implementing an election promise and weakening abortion laws in Poland. But President Naworocki can block that. more...
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Better late than never: After almost three years in government, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his center-left coalition have brought a liberalization of rigid abortion legislation through the first chamber of parliament (Sejm) - by the way, a central election promise of Tusk in autumn 2023.
This is about a partial decriminalization of abortions and those who provide assistance. In addition, a severe malformation of the fetus can in future also be a legal reason for an abortion, which Poland's Constitutional Court decided differently in 2020 during the time of the PiS government.
The current step was overdue. Polish women who pay for pregnancy with their health, if not their lives, are not isolated cases. In addition, women who - for whatever reason - are determined to terminate a pregnancy will find ways and means to do so. Poland is no exception here either.
The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.
But no matter how correct the latest change in the law is, the relief for those affected is likely to be limited. The right-wing nationalist President Karol Naworocki has announced that he will veto the new regulations. Unfortunately, it is feared that he will put this plan into practice - just like his predecessor Andrzej Duda. He also used this instrument extensively.
How such behavior can be compatible with the principles of the rule of law - well. It is almost pointless to mention that the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg declared Poland's abortion laws invalid in 2023.
During the “Black Protests,” up to a hundred thousand women took to the streets to demand self-determination over their bodies. This could happen again now. The mood for protest would then be there - and not just in Poland, as can currently be observed.