Poland's parliament partially decriminalises abortion
Poland's lower house of parliament, the Sejm, backed partial decriminalisation of abortion on 20 October. The country still has one of the strictest anti-abortion regimes in Europe.
The Sejm, the lower house of Poland's parliament, backed partial decriminalisation of abortion on 20 October. The decision concerns a country with one of the strictest anti-abortion regimes in Europe, and it changes the criminal liability of doctors and midwives.
What the deputies voted on
Lawmakers repealed provisions that carried up to three years in prison for doctors and midwives who performed an abortion with the woman's consent. In addition, ending a pregnancy will no longer be treated as a crime if it is necessary to remove a threat to the woman's life. Meduza reported this, citing the outlet Onet.
The Sejm also passed a law allowing abortion in cases of severe fetal developmental defects.
Political background
The main rules on abortion in Poland were adopted while the conservative Law and Justice party was in power. Donald Tusk's liberal Civic Coalition came to power in late 2023 and planned a substantial liberalisation of the anti-abortion legislation. Opposition from conservatives has meant that the rollback of the harsh measures is progressing slowly.
The source does not say whether the laws have already taken effect or what the next steps are.
