The upcoming elections are largely between good and evil, because I am convinced that a lot of evil has happened in Poland in recent years; in this confrontation, the issue of the position of women in Poland will play one of the most important roles – said PO chief Donald Tusk in Pszczyna on Monday.
Pszczyna has long been associated with the drama of Iza from Pszczyna. When I walked into one of the dozens of demonstrations after Mrs. Iza’s death, I saw not only women, many men also manifested themselves then with such a sincere great sadness in their eyes
— said Tusk at Monday’s meeting with women.
In September 2021, 30-year-old pregnant Izabela reported to Poviat Hospital in Pszczyna after her amniotic fluid broke. The fetus had previously been diagnosed with malformations. The woman died in hospital from septic shock. The family of the deceased believes that the doctors delayed the termination of pregnancy for too long, which contributed to the woman’s death. The death of Izabela, who left behind a daughter of a few years, sparked protests across the country against the current abortion law under the slogan “Not one more”.
In September last year, the regional prosecutor’s office in Katowice filed charges against three doctors under whose care Izabela was. It concerns the unintentional cause of death and exposure to imminent danger of death or serious damage to health. The suspects pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor’s investigation is in its final stages.
The head of the PO pointed out that it was an unnecessary death caused by “heartlessness, this dramatic, dangerous habit that a woman should not have to decide for herself, even in such a dramatic situation as Mrs. Iza.”
We must not give up under any circumstances, even if sometimes we, or especially you, sometimes have the justified feeling that this power does not want to give up an inch when it comes to women’s rights. It’s not just about rights, because it’s also about life and health, it turns out
Tusk said.
That’s why I have no doubts when I often say that these upcoming elections are, in large part, choices between good and evil. Because I am convinced that in recent years a lot of this kind of evil has happened in Poland in every sense of the word, including the metaphysical
– said the leader of the PO.
He added that “in this great confrontation, good and bad, the question of the position of women, the role of women, the suffering of women in Poland will play a role, both essentially one of the most important, as well as substantively is, but also symbolic.”
We must do absolutely everything in our power to get Poland back on track to emerge from the darkness of the Middle Ages.
Tusk said.
He stated that he could not imagine that “someone on the Democratic side striving for electoral success would not recognize the issue of women as an absolute priority”. This issue, he stressed, “really defines who is a Democrat.”
Tusk said the “issue of violence” seemed “absolutely crucial” to him.
Because you know what, even though we talk about things like in vitro fertilization, sex education at school, (…) free prenatal testing, contraceptives, the right to legal safe abortion up to 12 weeks, we are actually talking about violence by those who think – just because one wears a uniform, the other an officer’s dress, the third a cassock, and they are almost always boys – that they think they have the power to do it, and therefore they can use force, literally or legally , especially to deprive women of their right to a safe life
– said the head of the PO.
Istanbul Convention
Referring to the discussion in Poland about the Istanbul Convention (Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence) and the definition of rape, Tusk said the problem is that still “so many people believe that there is no such thing – in In the context of sexual life, the relationship between a man and a woman, there is no such thing as the right to inviolability.
Nor is it an ideological whim that this powerful voice speaks of a true equality of opportunity and rights in working life. That the level of earnings is still largely dependent on gender is something completely unprecedented
he pointed it out.
Speaking about sex education in schools, Tusk opined that it is mostly about “sex life not associated with violence, slavery, but with love”.
But for that you need awareness. ie people should know from the very beginning that sex, love, these categories should exclude violence
he noticed.
Free Poland, free Polish women and Poles should be people who decide for themselves about their lives, including the most intimate or family dimension. No one has the right to impose a way of life, a family model solely in terms of their own ideas
– said the leader of the PO.
The abortion issue
Tusk also referred to the issue of abortion. He vowed to find a “legal way” to overturn the Constitutional Court’s decision.
Just in case we have prepared a series of legal actions which, in any case, if we are in power after this election, it will not be by law, but by executive decisions, I am talking about decisions that do not require a law , so that they are not exposed to President Duda’s veto it will be possible to liberalize procedures practically without waiting for changes in the law and this is the minimum this is not an offer
– he said.
Even if it turns out that due to a veto or lack of agreement with other parties it will be difficult to get a bill, at least in the beginning, we will still find legal ways to reverse the consequences of Przyłębska’s verdict and practice to make more or less the same as we imagine, that is, the decision to have an abortion depends on the woman and the doctor. And it is possible
– added.
mly/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.