Polish Parliament Approves Abortion Bills, Veto Expected

Poland's parliament has voted to approve two bills intended to ease the nation's restrictive abortion laws, a move likely to be blocked by an anticipated presidential veto[6][10]. Overriding a presidential veto in Poland requires a three-fifths, or possibly two-thirds, majority in the Sejm, which the current ruling coalition does not possess, making an override unlikely[3]. This legislative gridlock means the country's near-total ban on abortion, among Europe's most restrictive, is set to remain in place[2][11].

The ongoing debate over abortion access affects thousands of Polish women, with statistics showing a sharp initial decline in hospital abortions after the 2020 ruling, followed by a gradual increase, reaching 851 in 2025[12]. Reproductive rights organizations have characterized the approved bills as "small-scale steps," asserting they would change little for most women needing abortion care, even if enacted[11].

The Legislative Push

The Polish parliament recently approved two bills aimed at liberalizing abortion law[6][10]. The ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, took power in December 2023 and had pledged to reform abortion laws[4]. Tusk had initially promised changes within 100 days, but internal disagreements within his diverse coalition caused delays[4]. This legislative push is viewed as a political maneuver leading up to the 2027 parliamentary elections[4]. Public opinion polls frequently indicate that a majority of Poles favor some liberalization of abortion laws; for example, a March 2023 survey by CBOS found 57% of Poles considered the grounds for abortion too narrow[4].

Presidential Opposition

President Karol Nawrocki is expected to veto the approved bills[6][10]. His chief of staff confirmed on October 20, 2026, that President Nawrocki "supports the protection of life from conception to natural death," a position he maintained during his presidential campaign[1]. Overriding such a veto would require a substantial majority in the Sejm that the ruling coalition does not command[3].

The Current Law and its Impact

Poland's current abortion law is one of the most restrictive in Europe[2]. It permits abortion only when a pregnancy results from a criminal act, such as rape or incest, or when the mother's life or health is at risk[2]. This near-total ban was solidified by a Constitutional Tribunal ruling in October 2020, which found that abortion on grounds of severe fetal abnormalities was unconstitutional[2]. This ruling took effect in January 2021[2]. Assisting a woman in obtaining an unlawful abortion is an offense punishable by up to three years in prison[5].

Following the 2020 ruling, the number of abortions performed in Polish hospitals initially dropped sharply from 1,363 in 2020 to 475 in 2021 and 452 in 2022[12]. However, these figures began to rise again, reaching 509 in 2023, 793 in 2024, and 851 in 2025[12]. In the first half of 2026, 573 abortions were recorded[12].

Public Reaction and Political Context

On October 22, 2026, hundreds of women protested outside the Polish Parliament in Warsaw, with demonstrations extending to more than 20 other cities across Poland[7][8]. These protests marked the sixth anniversary of the 2020 ruling that tightened abortion restrictions[7][8]. Protesters displayed "Red Cards" to signal dissatisfaction with the government's perceived failure to deliver on promises for more extensive abortion reform[7][8]. Bishop Artur Ważny of Sosnowiec appealed for the "firm defense of the life of the smallest" while also expressing "immense concern, respect, and empathy" for women facing difficult pregnancies[9].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the specific details of the two bills approved by parliament, such as proposed gestational limits or conditions for abortion access. We also could not confirm the exact timeline for President Nawrocki's expected veto or any potential alternative legislative strategies by the ruling coalition if the veto occurs.