Politics Tagesschau
Poland's parliament calls for relaxation of abortion rights
The tightening of abortion rights under the old PiS government triggered months of mass protests in Poland. Parliament has now introduced relaxation - but there is a threat of a veto.
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Poland Parliament wants to relax abortion rights As of: October 21, 2026 • 3:08 p.m
The tightening of abortion rights under the old PiS government triggered months of mass protests in Poland. Parliament has now introduced relaxation - but there is a threat of a veto.
Poland's parliament has voted to relax very strict abortion laws. A majority of MPs voted for two corresponding bills from Prime Minister Donald Tusk's center-left alliance.
With 233 votes to 203, the Sejm deputies voted to allow abortions if there is a high probability of a serious and irreparable malformation or life-threatening illness of the fetus.
This regulation was in effect until the end of 2020, but was declared unconstitutional and repealed by the country's highest judges.
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However, the chances of the easing being implemented are slim. For the easing to come into force, President Karol Nawrocki, who is supported by the conservative PiS, must sign it. A veto is considered likely.
Nawrocki's office announced that the head of state would "review the facts and content" of the laws and referred to his previous statements about protecting unborn life.
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A second draft law provides for partial decriminalization of abortions and support for them. The draft only received a narrow majority of 217 to 213 votes.
Under the previous national-conservative PiS government, the Constitutional Court ruled that women were not allowed to have abortions, even if their unborn child had severe malformations. Since then, abortion has only been possible after rape or incest, or if the pregnant woman's life is in danger.
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The tightening of abortion laws, which became one of the strictest in Europe, triggered mass protests that lasted for months. Liberalizing abortion regulations was one of the key campaign promises of Tusk, whose pro-European coalition has led the country since 2023.
This topic in the program: MDR aktuell - The news radio | News | Oct 21, 2026 | 12:30 p.m