We need to come to some consensus. This good consensus can be the first step. This is the decriminalization of assisting in abortion, but also the restoration of the premise that was eliminated by the judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal – said the Minister for Equality, Katarzyna Kotula (Left Wing), in “One on One” on TVN24.
Today in the Sejm there will be a vote regarding further work on the parliamentary bill amending the Penal Code regarding abortion. The bill assumes partial decriminalization of termination of pregnancy with the woman's consent and assistance in independent abortion. Confederation and PIS in the first reading they submitted a motion to reject the project. The project is the second attempt by MPs Anna Maria Żukowska from the Left and Dorota Łoboda from the Civic Coalition to convince the parliamentary majority to decriminalize abortion.
The Minister for Equality commented on the matter on Friday in “One on One” on TVN24 Katarzyna Kotula (Left).
– I would like to tell you what has changed, because everyone is asking today why we are coming back and why we came back as the Left with this project (…) This time, and this is really very important, the project was signed not only by MPs from the Left, but also also the Civic and Polish 2050 Coalition and MP Kłopotek from the Polish People's Party, and this already shows the change. In addition, we have a clear declaration from several politicians, she said.
She emphasized that “we need to reach some consensus today.” – And with this good consensus, I think this can be the first step. This first step is the decriminalization of assisting in abortion, but it is also the return of the third premise. I believe that today we really need to move in this direction to restore the premise that was abolished by the judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal on political orders, she said. In its project, Third Way proposes a return to the state before the Constitutional Tribunal's judgment of 2020, i.e. restoring the possibility of abortion in the event of the likelihood of a severe fetal defect.
Kotula emphasized that the point is to help women, their families, and restore a sense of security.
Main photo source: TVN24