PM's party opposes tightening of abortion laws

Demonstrators opposed to the draft legislation gather outside parliament. The protest was organised by the Federation for Women and Family Planning. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

A popular action led by the Pro Foundation – Right to Life collected over 400,000 signatures to ensure the reading of the draft bill in Poland's lower house of parliament.

However, Rafal Grupinski, head of Civic Platform's parliamentary club, has said that his party is moving to block the initiative, with the draft legislation being introduced to parliament today.

“There will be a motion to reject the draft bill in its first reading,” Grupinski said, as cited by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

The draft legislation seeks to ban eugenic abortions, which occur when there is a high probability that the foetus is damaged and it appears that the baby will be born with a life-threatening disease.

Following the departure of three of the centre-right Civic Platform's more conservative members in recent weeks, the Prime Minister's coalition has just 231 of the 460 seats in parliament, clinging on to the one vote necessary to pass legislation.

However, left-wing party the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) has already declared that it will also move to have the draft bill dismissed in its first reading, as has liberal party Palikot's Movement.

Meanwhile, Rafal Grupinski has stressed that Civic Platform members will not be disciplined for voting against the party.

Currently, Polish law permits abortions in three cases: when the pregnancy threatens the woman's life or health, when the the pregnancy is the result of criminal acts such as rape, or when the foetus is seriously and irreversibly damaged. (nh)