Poland’s lower house passed two bills Tuesday that would ease abortion restrictions, advancing changes to abortion assistance and access despite the risk of a veto by President Karol Nawrocki.
The Sejm’s voting record shows that a proposal to partially decriminalize helping a woman obtain an abortion passed 217-213, with three abstentions. A measure allowing abortion in cases of severe fetal abnormalities passed 233-203, with one abstention.
Poland removed fetal abnormalities as a legal ground for abortion after the Constitutional Tribunal ruled against it on Oct. 22, 2020. The judgment was published Jan. 27, 2021. Under current law, abortions are permitted when a pregnancy follows rape or incest or when the woman’s life or health is at risk.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s coalition campaigned in 2023 on easing those restrictions. Reuters reported that Nawrocki has signaled he would block liberalization of the abortion law. That leaves the bills facing a possible veto if they reach him.
FEDERA, an abortion rights group, said in an Oct. 20 statement that the measures would help only some people affected by the current law. The group is seeking abortion without giving a reason at least through the 12th week of pregnancy, full decriminalization and access within the health care system.
Parliamentary committees are also reviewing a separate proposal to allow abortion on request up to 12 weeks. The Senate is next to consider the two bills approved Tuesday.
