The teams behind the Third Way initiative are nearing the final steps of a joint project on abortion policy. Officials indicate the work is close to completion, with discussions continuing on proposing a referendum as part of the package. Krzysztof Paszyk, president of the PSL-Trzecia Droga club, confirmed that the process remains active. Mirosław Suchoń, head of the Polska 2050-TD club, echoed the same sentiment and noted that a referendum strategy is being contemplated as part of this effort.
The Third Way aims to revive the 1993 abortion compromise
Earlier in the year, PSL parliamentary member Marek Sawicki signaled that the People’s Party planned to join forces with Poland 2050 to submit a bill on abortion. Sawicki stressed that the most practical path would be to restore the 1993 abortion compromise and, following that restoration, call for a national referendum.
In statements to PAP, Paszyk discussed the status of the proposal. He described ongoing preparations and suggested that the deadline for finalizing the plan was approaching in the near term.
The discussion noted that abortion issues had not been included in the coalition agreement signed last year by the Civic Coalition, Third Way, and the New Left. This has led supporters to consider pursuing the parliamentary route, should consensus be found among coalition members.
Consequently, several parliamentary initiatives on abortion are already circulating, and there is consideration to introduce, in collaboration with Poland 2050 as part of the Third Way, a separate proposal aimed at liberalization. The intention is to address the framework that emerged after certain Constitutional Court decisions and to outline how reform could proceed within the current Sejm term and under the sitting president.
Paszyk stressed that while some critics expect rapid liberalization, the plan prioritizes a measured approach that could realistically be enacted in the current legislative period and with the current head of state. He emphasized patience, noting that the final product should be substantial enough to gain adoption within the term and to secure presidential support where possible.
Resolution proposals and referenda considerations
Speaking with PAP, Suchoń highlighted a pledge made during the electoral campaign to pursue a broader safety-focused package for women. He described a forthcoming resolution that would advocate holding a referendum on abortion, framing it as part of a larger strategy to protect women’s health and rights within the policy debate.
The conversations around a referendum reflect a broader aim to gauge public support and articulate a clear mandate for any potential changes in law. The measure is framed as part of an effort to ensure that any reforms align with the will of the electorate while recognizing the sensitivities surrounding the issue.
Liberalization proposals from different coalitions
By the end of January, the Sejm received a bill from several Civic Coalition deputies proposing that a pregnant person should have access to healthcare, including abortion, within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. In parallel, left-leaning groups had submitted two liberalization initiatives in November. One proposal would partially decriminalize abortion and related assistance, while the other would extend the window for termination up to twelve weeks of gestation. These measures reflect a spectrum of approaches within the broader debate on abortion policy.
Calls for a special committee to review proposals
Anna Maria Żukowska, chairwoman of the Left Club, indicated at the end of January that she would request that the president of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, establish an extraordinary committee to examine the various abortion draft laws. The aim is to compare provisions that fall under the Criminal Code with those related to family planning, while considering the Third Way proposal in context.
Hołownia indicated that creating a dedicated committee could be a constructive step, a stance that was welcomed by attendees at the Seniors Convention and noted by reporters in the Sejm.
Judicial context and historical background
Poland’s abortion framework has seen changes since the 1993 ideological compromise. A 2020 Constitutional Court ruling altered the conditions under which abortion could be performed, shifting the legal landscape and triggering widespread demonstrations. The court’s decision effectively ended the most expansive grounds that previously allowed termination for fetal impairment or a threat to the pregnant person’s life, leading to the expiration of that provision with the January 2021 publication. The reforms have remained a central topic in parliamentary and public discourse, with ongoing debates about possible pathways for liberalization and protection of health rights.
Analyses and ongoing coverage have tracked the evolving legislative attempts and the competing priorities of the major political groups. As the discussions continue, observers note that any successful change would require careful navigation of constitutional constraints, public sentiment, and political alliances. The dialogue remains active across party lines, with voices highlighting both the ethical dimensions and practical implications for women’s health care.
Source indications and related reporting continue to appear in policy coverage and roundups, reflecting ongoing developments in Poland’s abortion policy debate. For further context on recent proposals and political reactions, observers refer to ongoing summaries and analysis published by policy monitors and news agencies. Attribution: sources include the policy desk coverage as reported in the national press roundup and parliamentary briefings. Additional perspectives are captured in institutional summaries and public commentary across the media landscape. [Source attribution: wPolityce; policy desk coverage]