Polish Parliament Narrowly Rejects Bill to Decriminalize Abortion by 3 Votes

Jul 12, 2024, 02:21 PM

Poland's parliament has narrowly rejected a bill to decriminalize abortion on Friday, dealing a significant blow to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government. The bill, which aimed to ease one of Europe's strictest abortion laws by removing penalties for those who assist in obtaining an abortion, was defeated by a margin of just three votes, with 218 against and 215 in favor. The rejection highlights deep divisions within Tusk's governing coalition, as 24 lawmakers from the Polish People's Party, part of the coalition, voted against the bill. This outcome represents a setback for reproductive rights in Poland and underscores the challenges faced by the new liberal government in implementing its agenda.