Thousands protest across Poland for access to free and legal abortions

Demonstrators gathered on the sixth anniversary of a near-total abortion ban imposed by Poland’s highest court. Thousands of people have protested in more than 20 towns and cities across Poland, calling for access to free and legal abortion services. Currently, abortion is only legal in Poland when a pregnancy results from a criminal act like rape or incest, or when it threatens the life or health of the mother. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government promised to liberalise abortion laws ahead of its 2023 election victory, but divisions within the coalition have slowed progress. The demonstrations come days after parliament passed two bills that would ease abortion restrictions in the mostly Catholic country, but are likely to be vetoed by Poland’s conservative President Karol Nawrocki.

Passing the draft laws now, a year before the next parliamentary election, is a case of “token gestures” rather than a genuine effort to reform abortion law, said Zofia Marcinek of the Abortion Dream Team, a reproductive rights activist group in Warsaw. She said the liberal government knew the draft laws stand no chance of withstanding Nawrocki’s veto, and has merely tried to create the impression of taking action because it needs women’s support to win elections next year. In the capital, Warsaw, about 1,000 protesters demonstrated in front of parliament despite rain. “Over the last