Polish president vetoes amendment to bill on morning-after pill

By Jo Harper

WARSAW (AA) - Polish President Andrzej Duda vetoed an amendment Friday to Poland's pharmaceutical law which provides for the availability of the morning-after pill without a prescription for those older than 15 years of age.

“The president listened to the voices of parents, which were received in numerous correspondence. The president clearly believes in the need to protect the rights and constitutional standards of health care for children,” said presidential minister Malgorzata Paprocka.

A presidential veto can be overturned by a three-fifths majority of MPs in the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, meaning the ruling coalition will not be able to muster support.

Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, which imposed one of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws, was voted out of office in October and the new governing coalition is split over changes to the law.

Parliamentary Speaker Szymon Holownia, leader of Polska 2050, a Christian Democrat party and one of the three parties in the ruling coalition, has postponed a parliamentary vote on abortion.

The other two parties, the New Left and Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Platform (PO), have made abortion on demand up to the 12th week of pregnancy a priority.

The president's decision, although not a surprise, caused a wave of comments.

"The morning-after pill will be available, regardless of the president's opinion on this matter, who bases his decision on superstition instead of medical knowledge," said Minister of Equality Katarzyna Kotula.

"Turkey, Serbia, Hungary. And Poland. by Duda's decision," wrote Civic Coalition MP Krzysztof Brejza, who added that those countries have the most restrictive access to the morning-after pill in Europe.

“Superstition and conservative ideology have won over science and women’s rights,” wrote Deputy Culture Minister Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus. “Fortunately, these are the last months of Andrzej Duda’s presidency,” she added.

Duda’s second and final term ends in 2025.