Poland delays abortion ban after two weeks of protests

Poland's government is postponing the publication and implementation of the controversial high court ruling that last month approved a ban on almost all abortions in the country.

Protests have rocked Poland since the country's Constitutional Tribunal announced its decision on Thursday October 22 to halt pregnancy terminations for fetal abnormalities, indirectly but effectively banning all abortions in the country.

Protesters holding signs in front of the house of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party (PIS) in Warsaw on October 30. /Wojtek RADWANSKI/AFP

In 2019, abortions for fetal abnormalities represented 98 percent of all abortions legally performed in the country. The court ruling deemed abortions for fetal defects "unconstitutional," only allowing abortions in Poland in the cases of incest, rape, or threat to the mother's health.

For the past two weeks, thousands of protesters have been marching in the streets of the capital Warsaw and other cities across Poland to protest against the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) and the constitutional tribunal's ruling.

On Friday, about 100,000 people demonstrated in Warsaw, the biggest anti-government protest to take place in Poland under the ruling conservative party.

Tens of thousands took part in protests against the tightening of Poland's already restrictive abortion laws. /Wojtek RADWANSKI/AFP

The new, stricter ruling on abortion was expected to be published on Monday, but the Polish government has postponed it. Rulings, which are normally published by the government in the Journal of Laws, have no legal power when unpublished.

The government is taking the time to review and debate the ruling in light of the public reaction and is asking protesters to engage in conversation with the government to find a solution.

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Michał Dworczyk, the head of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's office, said: "There is a discussion going on and it would be good to take some time for dialogue and for finding a new position in this situation that is difficult and stirs high emotions."

But protesters remain very critical of the government's approach to the issue and plan more demonstrations this week. Polish experts on constitutional law have also expressed concern on the postponement of the ruling's publication, which violates the required legal procedures dictating that court rulings should be published without delay.

Cover image: Czarek Sokolowski/AP Photo

Source(s): AP