Civil partnerships ‘could clash with Poland’s constitution’

Polish parliament: photo - wikicommons

“Whether you like it or not, the Polish Constitution is far more conservative on the issues of the family, marriage and motherhood than the legislation of many European countries,” President Komorowski has told a private radio station.

“If someone has different views, he or she at least has to respect the Constitution,” the Polish President added.

According to Komorowski, it would be wrong to arouse the hopes of “heterosexual, homosexual or asexuals” that some “radical solutions” would be introduced, considering that they might prove to be incompatible with the Constitution.

President Komorowski did not elaborate on what the ‘radical solutions’ could be, but previous attempts by liberal MPs in parliament to introduce legislation on civil partnerships have failed to get the necessary majority, revealing a deep split within the ruling Civic Platform party, which President Komorowski is strongly allied to.

The President said that just as the rights and needs of those of a “different orientation” should be respected, the fear of some Poles that a law on civil partnerships could lead to a situation where adoption by same-sex couples would be allowed have to be respected.

In an interview for the Polish Press Agency (PAP) at the end of January, President Komorowski expressed the view that it would be advisable to examine whether amendments to existing legislative acts are not sufficient to ensure the rights of civil partnerships.

In his opinion, a new Act of Parliament poses a danger of being ruled unconstitutional.
A meeting of the ruling Civic Platform last week was reported to have been heated, with PM Donald Tusk demanding that the party take a unified stance on the issue.

But conservatives within the centre-right party, led by Justice Minister Jaroslaw Gowin, have said they are determined to block legislation allowing homosexual couples to form legalized civil partnerships. (mk/pg)

Source: IAR