The current stance on marriage and family policy
A clear direction has emerged from New Left vice president Krzysztof Śmiszek, who advocates parity between same‑sex relationships and traditional marriage. He spoke in terms of extending marriage norms to include LGBT couples and suggested that same‑sex couples could adopt children under the same framework as opposite‑sex couples.
Equal rights within marriage
When asked if the left intends to allow same‑sex couples to adopt, Śmiszek gave an affirmative answer. He framed marriage equality as extending the full set of rights that accompany opposite‑sex marriages to same‑sex unions, stressing the duties and responsibilities that marriage entails and insisting that same‑sex partners should enjoy the same privileges.
In presenting this view, he touched on the current legal framework, noting that the constitution presently defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Regarding personal plans to adopt, Śmiszek acknowledged occasional reflections but drew a line between personal considerations and constitutional definitions.
He underscored a broader principle: under the present rules, single individuals may apply to adopt a child. He argued that anyone capable of providing love, security, and warmth to a child should have the right to parent, regardless of sexual orientation.
Reflecting on thousands of Polish children in foster care and orphanages, he described this as an untapped potential for love from LGBT families. He argued that this potential has been constrained and, in his view, unfairly limited.
Partnerships and marriages
Śmiszek recalled a policy proposal from three years prior that would place same‑sex and opposite‑sex marriages on an equal footing, extending the traditionally defined concept of marriage to include two people of the same sex. He described this as part of a broader vision for recognizing families.
He also highlighted the creation of a lighter form of legal union for both same‑sex and bi‑sexual couples: a registered partnership. This form, in his view, would offer a flexible path for couples who choose not to marry but still want legal recognition of their relationship.
According to him, the left currently advocates for freedom in how people formalize their relationships. If someone does not wish to marry but wants their partnership legally recognized, they would be able to enter a registered partnership instead.
The question remains whether there are more pressing issues in Poland today than debates over LGBT marriage and child adoption, a point echoed by critics who question the prioritization of these reforms. The discussion continues to provoke strong opinions on social policy and the role of family in national life, with supporters stressing inclusion and opponents urging adherence to the existing constitutional definitions. Observers from various outlets, including policy analysts and reporters, noted ongoing coverage of the topic.