In Poland, lawmakers vote for a relaxation of abortion rights, threatened by a presidential veto

On October 20, Polish lawmakers approved two abortion law reforms aimed at easing one of Europe's strictest abortion regulations, although the nationalist president is expected to veto them. The Sejm passed these bills, supported by Donald Tusk's centrist government, which partially decriminalize abortion assistance and restore access in cases of severe fetal malformations. The first bill, backed by Tusk's Civic Coalition and the left, narrowly passed with 217 votes in favor. The second bill, proposed by more conservative coalition partners, reverses a 2020 constitutional court ruling that banned abortions due to fetal malformations. Protests erupted nationwide following the 2020 ruling, and the current laws allow abortion only in cases of rape or threats to the mother's health. The president, Karol Nawrocki, is likely to veto any attempts to liberalize abortion laws, and protests are planned in Warsaw this weekend both for and against abortion rights.