On Tuesday evening, the Sejm rejected a civic draft amendment to Poland’s law on family planning, protection of the human fetus, and the conditions for permitting termination of pregnancy, along with other connected statutes. The draft proposed penalties for disseminating information about the possibility of ending a pregnancy both in Poland and abroad.
In the initial vote, 300 members supported the motion to reject the draft, 99 voted against, and 27 abstained. The initiative to dismiss the project came from a coalition of parties including Civic Coalition, Left, Coalition Poland, and Polska2050.
The full voting results are available on the Sejm’s official website for those who want to review the breakdown in detail.
What did the project aim to change?
Late last December, Kai Godek’s Life and Family Foundation, an anti abortion advocacy group, along with roughly 150,000 petition signatures, filed a civil bill intended to amend the January 7, 1993 law on family planning, protection of the human fetus and the conditions for admissibility of termination of pregnancy, and several related laws.
The proposed changes included fines for sharing information about the possibility of terminating a pregnancy within Poland or internationally.
Additionally, the bill sought to ban public promotion of activities that relate to abortion or its possible scenarios, whether domestically or abroad.
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— First reading of the citizens project aimed at protecting life, with a prohibition on public promotion of abortion related activities
— A discussion on whether an abortion referendum is needed, with politicians weighing the Godek proposal and its chances of support
— The Life and Family Foundation submitted its signatures to the Sejm, with spokespersons emphasizing that people want life protection to be a real priority rather than a slogan
The coverage team notes the framing and public reaction around such proposals, including how different factions view the balance between protecting life and individual rights. The events reflect ongoing debates in Poland about how information related to abortion should be handled in public discourse and how that stance aligns with broader European perspectives on reproductive rights. The discussions have implications that resonate beyond national borders, as many observers consider Poland’s approach in the context of regional policy trends and international human rights considerations. The political back-and-forth highlights the push and pull between activists, lawmakers, and citizens who seek clarity on what counts as permissible speech in public spaces. In analyzing the vote, observers point to the importance of transparent legislative processes, the role of citizen initiatives, and the potential impact on public information channels. The debate continues to evolve as lawmakers assess how to balance protective measures for unborn life with the rights of individuals to access information and make informed choices within the law. The narrative remains part of a larger conversation about reproductive policy in Central Europe and the region’s ongoing legal and ethical discussions.
Note about sourcing: reporting reflects statements and actions reported by Polish media outlets and parliamentary records, with attribution to the respective coverage teams and organizations involved in the discussions.