Polish lawmakers approve progress on lifting near-total abortion ban

In a historic move, Polish lawmakers voted to advance proposals to lift the near-total ban on abortion, sparking a heated debate in the traditionally Roman Catholic country. The lower house of parliament, the Sejm, voted to work on four separate bills, two of which suggest legalizing abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, aligning with European norms.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist party is pushing for the change to allow women to terminate pregnancies within the first trimester. Tusk, who came into power after a surge in young and female voters in response to the restrictive abortion laws under the previous government, sees this as a step towards defending the fundamental rights of women.

While Tusk and the Left support the liberalization of abortion laws, the more conservative Third Way within the coalition opposes it, leading to tensions within the government. Despite the progress in advancing the bills, abortion rights advocates remain cautiously optimistic about real change in the law.

The Catholic church, a significant influence in Poland, has called for a day of prayer to defend conceived life, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs in the country. With President Andrzej Duda likely to veto any liberalization bill, the future of abortion rights in Poland remains uncertain.

As the debate continues, the voices of women seeking reproductive rights grow louder, with many already resorting to illegal means to access abortions. The outcome of this legislative battle will not only shape the future of women’s rights in Poland but also reflect the ongoing struggle between tradition and modernity in the country.