The push to legalize civil partnerships continues to gain momentum in political circles. On TVN24, Michał Kobosko of Polska 2050 made it clear that there is no opposition to the idea of formalizing such relationships in the registry office, a stance that applies to both heterosexual and homosexual couples. Łukasz Rzepecki from the President’s Chancellery recalled past remarks by President Andrzej Duda about creating a status for close relatives within the system of civil registry.
Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula told PAP that consultations will be held with non-governmental organizations to shape future civil partnership solutions.
Kotula: The Left Will Bring the Bill Forward
Kotula said the party will table the left’s bill, developed in collaboration with the organization Miłość Nie Wylewemy during Robert Biedroń’s presidential campaign, and will revisit Nowoczesna’s proposal as a starting point for talks with organizations. She added that the goal is to present the project to the Sejm in the spring, with a political decision on whether it will be government or parliamentary in nature left for later consideration.
The conversation also noted a series of related headlines predicting what may unfold in the near term within the coalition and among opposition groups.
After Years in a Gray Zone, Civil Partnerships Must be Legalized
During a TVN24 discussion, Michał Kobosko, deputy head of Poland 2050, emphasized that there is no consensus yet within the ruling coalition on the civil partnership draft. He stressed that legalization would end a long era during which some couples felt compelled to seek marriage abroad for recognition at home. Kobosko affirmed that Poland 2050 supports allowing both straight and gay couples to register partnerships before the civil registry and even to hold a solemn ceremony if the couple wishes.
Bartosz Arłukowicz of KO highlighted the fundamental right of individuals to decide how they live and with whom. He urged society to move away from hostility and vowed to pursue legal protections against hate speech as part of broader reforms that align with democratic values.
Horała: Freedom of Contract Must Be Respected, Marriage Should Not Be Undermined
Marcin Horała of PiS argued that civil law already includes freedom of contract, which allows designating an heir or appointing someone to represent a person in specific matters, including access to medical records. If a new form of agreement were introduced, perhaps naming a designated heir or representative after a single notary visit for an elderly caregiver, the question would be whether it should be labeled a Civil Partnership Act. Horała suggested that such an approach could be explored, but he warned against moves that would undermine the institution of marriage, including any pseudo-marriage arrangements.
Łukasz Rzepecki from the Presidential Chancellery recalled that in 2015 President Duda spoke about the status of a close relative as a potential framework. He noted that any discussion about documentation and health matters will require a concrete project and a willingness to engage from all sides.
Wipler: Creating an Institution Close to Marriage Is Problematic and Unconstitutional
Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus of the Left pointed out that only five European countries do not recognize formal relationships between same sex couples: Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Lithuania. Civil partnerships exist in Hungary, among others, highlighting that couples deserve recognition and protection without politicians arranging their private lives. Przemysław Wipler of the Confederation argued that creating a marriage-like institution could pose constitutional challenges. He urged reforms that simplify daily life for citizens while avoiding ideological projects that would compel people to register through a registry office if they do not wish to do so.
Wipler also called for an updated family and custody code, stressing that real improvements should come without coercing people into formal arrangements they do not want. The debate touched on how such changes could help couples navigate practical matters in a modern legal landscape.
The Left and the Presidential Project on Recognizing a Closest-Relative Status
The left’s earlier proposal for partnerships described a formal relationship entered into by the partners regardless of gender or sexual orientation. It allowed a possible ceremony at the Civil Registry, enabled a shared surname, and provided rights to a partner’s home and potentially to adopt a partner’s descendant in the first degree of kinship. In 2015 President Duda, when asked about same-sex marriages, suggested that while he did not support gay marriages, recognizing the status of a close relative could be considered to help access health information or correspondence. In 2020 the President was questioned again on Polsat News about this concept.
Discussants noted that if such an act were on the desk, it would require careful consideration because it would serve not only couples living together but also scenarios where two people support each other, including elderly partners or a younger person assisting an older, lonely one.
According to the discourse, the President pointed out that a registered partnership and the status of a close relative are distinct things, and he did not advocate for a registered partnership statement in that period. Related coverage highlighted ongoing debates and constitutional limits relevant to the topic.
Additional coverage touched on whether the president would support civil partnerships, framed within constitutional boundaries, and invited readers to consider various political viewpoints as the conversation evolved.
PAP/rdm
Source: wPolityce