Polish Sejm Debate on Abortion Legislation Deferred for Reflection
The 10th Sejm was described as being heavily male, with about seven in ten members men. Voters elected a Sejm that appeared more conservative than the public mood suggested, according to Sejm Marshal Szymon Hołownia in a Polityka interview focused on abortion legislation.
Polityka questioned Hołownia about delaying the processing of abortion laws until April 11.
He explained that the delay was meant to give parliamentarians space to reflect rather than react to polls or electoral calculations, a notion once expressed by President Aleksander Kwaśniewski. He acknowledged that critics would accuse him of blocking progress, yet insisted that thoughtful consideration deserved time.
Hołownia noted that a different response could be heard today if the coalition faced rapid change or if demonstrations had erupted on the streets under a law seen as settled in the current Sejm. He argued that the postponement created space for a new political reality by avoiding rushing the process and allowing parties to prepare for a meaningful discussion.
When asked whether delaying the work would worry supporters of his party, Hołownia replied that it would not. During the campaign, the Third Way had been clear about its stance on abortion legislation. He suggested that anyone opposing their approach could simply vote for other parties such as KO or the Left.
Hołownia stated his aim to give millions of Polish women the opportunity to decide their own futures, contrasting that empowerment with the positions associated with figures like Mirosław Macierewicz, Jarosław Kaczyński, and Stanisław Suski, whom he described as representing the opposing side in this debate.
The Sejm of the 10th term was described as predominantly male, with observers noting that the elected assembly carried a more conservative tilt than wider society. A bystander reportedly shouted that even if the law could not be changed in this Sejm, it should at least reveal who stood for or against it, framing the issue as a political test. Hołownia framed this moment as a call to accountability and a reminder of the stakes involved in the abortion policy debate.
Across political circles, commentary focused on whether delaying the legislative work would influence public opinion or voter behavior in upcoming elections. The discussion highlighted the tension between parliamentary procedure, public sentiment, and the aspirations of those seeking greater autonomy for women in deciding their futures. It underscored how the timing of policy can shape political narratives and the fate of contentious reforms. [citation: wPolityce]
Notes on the public conversation emphasized the broader context of how lawmakers approach sensitive issues and the impact on trust in institutions when decisions appear to be paused for deliberation rather than pushed through swiftly.