The Equality Minister, Katarzyna Kotula, emphasized the need to introduce civil partnerships at least at a recognized level in Polish law. She pointed out that while the left has tried to win coalition support for changes to abortion legislation, those efforts have not succeeded yet.
Speaking at a Saturday panel on diversity during Campus Poland of the Future in Olsztyn, Kotula insisted that diversity already exists and should be acknowledged in policy, though legal reform has not followed suit. She stressed that for such policy shifts to happen, both the government and local governments would have to undergo substantial changes.
She highlighted the recent period of political darkness, especially eight years marked by hostility toward LGBT people and violations of rights. Yet she credited local governments like Kraków, Warsaw, Poznań, and Szczecin with making meaningful gains during this time.
Referring to the United Right government, she argued that it fostered a sense of threat toward others. In her view, the moment arrived to defend democracy, the rule of law, and the constitution.
These three terms have echoed in her mind, guiding her through months of protest participation and a firm belief in what they should mean in practice. She underscored that the Constitution and international law guarantee equal treatment, and that this applies to Poland as a member of the European Union.
She noted that some colleagues interpret the fight for the rule of law, the constitution, and democracy differently today. Her department, Equal Treatment, based in the Prime Minister’s Office, is focused on advancing Poland’s first statutory institution of a registered partnership.
“If it passes, it will be the biggest bill this government will bring forward.”
Kotula explained that the work has spanned months, with analysis underway. The plan includes two major bills on partnerships and an introductory bill that would amend 234 other laws, along with necessary regulatory measures.
She stated that this would be the government’s largest legislative effort if it succeeds. Her aim is to push the proposal forward while negotiating details, especially on dignity issues that cannot be compromised.
The potential passage of the bill remains uncertain, given the December 13 coalition government’s difficulties delivering on most election promises. The left’s flagship abortion reform faced a setback in the Sejm elections due to a lack of majority.
Kotula explained that the core task today is to persuade colleagues to introduce civil partnerships in Poland at a minimum level. This hinges first on a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights, then on the party’s commitment to the cause, and finally on keeping a public promise alive.
She announced that several ministries will undertake two major projects in the near term, acknowledging that the process will take time. Public consultations will follow, after which the proposals will move to the Sejm with the hope of gaining a majority.
While some argue that geopolitical concerns and the war in Ukraine demand attention to security and military readiness, Kotula also frames civil partnerships as a security issue, arguing they touch on dignity and basic human rights. The question, she proposed, is not only about living arrangements but about safeguarding the right to cohabitate and raise children for couples who have shared lives over many years.
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In summary, Kotula framed civil partnerships as a matter of rights, safety, and dignity, deserving careful consideration as part of Poland’s legal landscape.
Source: wPolityce