Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who leads the PSL, argued that the abortion debate in the Sejm today would not reshape policy before 2025. He pointed out that Andrzej Duda will remain president until then and is unlikely to sign any measures that liberalize abortion law. Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that PSL factions would back their own proposal, which aims to restore the pre-2020 framework and reintroduce an abortion compromise, while also voting in line with their conscience.
On March 5, Marshal of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia announced plans to bring abortion bills to the Sejm for discussion on April 11, shortly after the local election’s first round. Later that day, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Deputy Speaker and co-chair of the New Left, said he had asked the Presidium to consider the draft abortion laws during the current session. His request was not granted, due in part to the chairman’s casting vote.
Hołownia’s decision drew criticism from several MPs on the left and activists with the Women’s Strike movement.
PSL’s stance: support for our own April 11 proposal
Speaking to journalists, the PSL leader described Hołownia’s plan to discuss abortion bills on April 11 as a positive development, coming right after the local elections’ first round.
He said it was encouraging that these proposals were being examined. The party would adhere to its longstanding promise to vote based on conscience.
He added that the President of the Sejm had studied and discussed the matter, and that a coalition group of MPs appeared likely to push all proposals to at least a second reading. The PSL would back its own plan to restore the rules in place before the Constitutional Court’s October 2020 judgment and then pursue a referendum.
The PSL leader emphasized the possibility of a calm, extended debate on the abortion bills.
Until August 2025, no real shift in policy
Kosiniak-Kamysz reiterated that Andrzej Duda would be president until August 2025 and would not sign any legislation liberalizing abortion. He argued that public perception was being misled into thinking today’s Sejm discussions would immediately change policy. A referendum could be the only way to influence the president’s stance.
The PSL leader stated that only a referendum could alter the president’s attitude on this issue.
Four proposed measures to liberalize abortion
In the previous November, the left submitted two bills aimed at loosening abortion rules. One proposition partially decriminalizes abortion and assistance, while another would permit termination up to the twelfth week of gestation.
At the end of January this year, a proposal from a coalition parliamentary group was submitted to the Sejm. It grants a pregnant person access to health care that includes termination within the first twelve weeks.
Another proposal, introduced by Trzecia Droga—a coalition of PSL and Polska 2050 members—would overturn the Constitutional Court’s 2020 ruling on abortion regulations. TD politicians also announced plans for a referendum on this topic.
Abortion restrictions in Poland, in force since 1993, were amended following the Constitutional Court ruling in 2020. Previously, the law allowed abortion in cases of severe fetal impairment or life-threatening conditions; the court deemed those grounds unconstitutional, triggering nationwide protests.
Historically, PSL politicians have occasionally framed their stance as defending conscience while avoiding alienating their base, aiming to distinguish themselves from PO and the left and to avoid losing support. Critics say such rhetoric masks broader attempts to reverse the so-called eugenic abortion ban and to leave the final decision to public opinion.
Additional commentary from the political sphere noted the ongoing debate around abortion and the potential hurdles within the coalition. Some observers suggested that further steps would depend on committee actions and broader consensus.
– PO faced questions about coalition partners’ arguments regarding the abortion debate and potential referendums.
– Hołownia indicated a chance that the proposals could be referred to committee after discussions with Czarzasty.
– Czarzasty announced results from the Sejm Presidium vote and criticized TD and the Confederation for blocking abortion initiatives, while noting the possibility of a coalition approach.
PAP/rdm
Source: wPolityce