This is the second attempt, but this time it will be successful. Once again, MPs will vote on the bill decriminalizing abortion. The evening vote will decide whether the project will be forwarded to the parliamentary committee for further work. There shouldn't be any problems with this. This time, the decriminalization bill has a chance of being passed because a compromise was reached with PSL.
Jarosław Rzepa is one of the PSL MPs who has changed his mind on the decriminalization of abortion – he claims that this time he will vote “for”. This is the result of public consultations he conducted in his district after the Sejm rejected the bill decriminalizing abortion. – I listened, I listened, it must be said clearly, and now I have completely changed my approach, seeing that our conservatism is probably a bit greater than that of our electorate – he said.
That is why the Left is submitting to the Sejm a bill decriminalizing abortion for the second time. This time, the project was signed not only by MPs from the Left, but also from the Civic Coalition, Poland 2050 and one PSL MP – Agnieszka Kłopotek. – This is not strictly about abortion, but about removing criminal responsibility from the person who will possibly help such a woman, and I think that some people manage to be convinced during discussions and conversations – he explains.
Possible referral of the project for further work in the committee is only the beginning of the legislative process, which is why the problem is not foreseen even by the head of the People's Party, known for his conservative views. – Just like the first time, a few months ago, she joined the committee, I don't think it will be any different today. It is always worth working on projects, because after the committee they may be better than those that reach the committee, said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
A separate issue is the restoration of the so-called third ground for abortion
In the Extraordinary Committee to consider draft laws regarding the right to terminate pregnancy, the bill on decriminalization of abortion will be considered together with the PSL bill restoring the so-called the third abortion condition, removed by the judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal chaired by Julia Przyłębska. This was an exception to the abortion ban regarding a situation in which a severe, irreversible fetal defect was found.
– The coincidence of these two events may mean that we will emerge from this impasse in the same framework and in such conditions as is possible today – says Piotr Zgorzelski, deputy speaker of the Sejm, an MP from PSL-Trzecia Droga.
This is a compromise reached by the ruling coalition in long inter-party talks. PSL will support decriminalization, and the other parties will raise their hands in support of the PSL project. – If this promise means that the Polish People's Party agrees to vote, or at least some PSL politicians – and I very much count on this – for the decriminalization of abortion assistance, it means that we can do it together in the coalition on October 15 first step – commented Katarzyna Kotula, Minister for Equality, MP from the Left.
There is a scenario in the game in which all the provisions will be included in one bill, which will be voted on by the Sejm. – This is the first, really tiny, step, it is not yet what we would like, abortion up to the 12th week is not yet legal, but it is a step towards the safety of women and their loved ones – said KO MP Dorota Łoboda.
PSL is also a key player in the matter of restoring the so-called third abortion condition. The People's Party admits that talks are ongoing. – I think it's a matter of at least a few months in advance how we will vote on the whole thing and what this bill will contain – commented Urszula Pasławska, an MP from PSL-Trzecia Pasławska.
Karina Bosak on “fanaticism and stupid stubbornness” regarding the project on decriminalization of abortionTVN24
Szymon Hołownia: we must leave the Sejm with a face
PSL has neither a club position nor party discipline in voting. Each MP votes according to his or her own conscience. The same happened during the first attempt to adopt a bill decriminalizing abortion. Then it didn't work. – I think that what happened was actually a mistake at work and this mistake will not happen again – said Katarzyna Ueberhan, an MP from the Left.
– We need to send a signal that we really hear the voice of women, that we really take the things they say to us seriously. I hope that this vote will be successful so that we can leave the Sejm today with a face, said the Marshal of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia.
The ruling coalition wants the Sejm to vote on the final shape of the project at the end of the year, and for the act to enter into force before next year's presidential elections.
Main photo source: TVN24