Anna Zalewska, a member of the European Parliament for Law and Justice, addressed Deputy Family Minister Aleksandra Gajewska during a tense moment, noting that her opponent seemed unable to endure the arguments being presented. The deputy’s smile faded as the discussion grew sharper.
The neoTVP Info program Woronicza 17 touched on several topics, including the abortion debate that unfolded in the Sejm and the broader political dynamics surrounding it.
Sparks in the eight-star coalition
Commenting on the Sejm debate about liberalizing abortion laws, Szymon Hołownia observed that the chamber had previously reached a higher temperature. In his view, the latest session stood out for its calmness, substance, and decorum, representing one of the most measured debates on the issue in decades.
As the author followed the proceedings, the impression lingered that the Speaker’s characterization might have been a touch optimistic. In reality, notable frictions persisted within the coalition often described as a group of eight notable parties or factions, reflecting substantial differences among them.
– said Anna Zalewska, a member of the European Parliament from Law and Justice.
She emphasized at multiple points that none of the proposed provisions aligned with the Polish Constitution, particularly Article 38. Zalewska also pointed to relevant rulings of the Constitutional Court, including the 1997 verdicts discussed by legal scholars, and noted that the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union were not being followed in this context. She recalled the 2011 decision regarding what defines an embryo, arguing that the discussion should center on the life and conception of a child.
– Zalewska stressed.
Gajewska under scrutiny
In response, the Sejm established an extraordinary committee to examine draft abortion laws. The committee comprises eleven representatives from the Law and Justice party, nine from KO, two each from Poland 2050-TD, PSL-TD and Left, and one from the Confederation. The overwhelming majority of PiS deputies reportedly did not favor creating a dedicated committee to review the abortion proposals.
The political media team noted the formation of this committee as a significant event, signaling the depth of disagreement among the parties. The discussion raised questions about how the coalition would navigate the process while respecting constitutional constraints and legal standards.
The Woronicza 17 presenter asked Zalewska whether Law and Justice might be stepping away from the broader policy dialogue by invoking procedural moves that limit participation from other parties. Zalewska responded by arguing that the rule of law must be observed and that any attempt to bypass constitutional norms should be viewed with caution. She added that constitutional discipline has to guide how institutional power is exercised and how ministries engage with the legislative process.
moments later, Aleksandra Gajewska, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy, appeared on screen and drew subtle amusement from the discussion. The presenter’s camera caught a brief moment when the deputy flashed a smile that seemed, in the moment, to reflect a lighthearted mood amid serious deliberations.
– Zalewska recalled the moment and suggested that such expressions could be misread as a light reaction to intense political exchanges.
The smile faded quickly as the conversation moved to the heart of the matter. Officials stressed that constitutional and legal considerations must govern any moves to modify or reinterpret abortion policy, and they warned that electoral rhetoric might distract from the essential principles at stake.
As the debate continued, commentators and participants alike underscored the challenge of balancing constitutional order with evolving social expectations. The discussions highlighted the role of the judiciary in interpreting complex life- and rights-related questions, and they spotlighted the delicate task of shaping policy that aligns with both national and European legal standards.
In the broader frame, observers noted a pattern of public dialogue that mixes firm opposition with persistent efforts to reach a workable compromise. The political scene remained polarized, yet some interlocutors urged a return to a more measured, policy-driven conversation that could yield durable results without erasing core ethical considerations.
Source: wPolityce