Warsaw: Poland took a significant step toward legalizing civil partnerships on Friday with the publication of a draft law. The minister responsible for the legislation called it a “historic day” in a nation where LGBT rights have been a highly divisive issue.
Donald Tusk’s pro-European coalition government, which came to power last year, has been supported by younger, liberal voters eager to end eight years of nationalist rule. During that time, the push for LGBT equality was framed as a “dangerous foreign ideology” by those in power.
Despite this, some of Tusk’s supporters have expressed disappointment with the pace of change. This has put pressure on his centrist Civic Coalition and one of its partners, the Left, to make progress toward a more socially liberal agenda before the 2025 presidential election.
“Our voters expect us to introduce these changes to human rights,” Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula, a member of the Left, stated at a news conference. She added, “I believe this is an absolutely reasonable solution… that can provide a feeling of security for many people who live in informal relationships.”
The proposed law would grant civil partners rights such as inheritance and access to medical information about their partners. However, it does not include the right to adopt children—an omission intended to secure the backing of the conservative Polish Peasants’ Party (PSL), another member of Tusk’s coalition.
Also Read | Meta Fires 24 Employees for Misusing $25 Meal Vouchers
The PSL has already blocked efforts to liberalize Poland’s abortion laws, preventing the coalition from fulfilling one of its key campaign promises.
LGBT activist Bart Staszewski welcomed the draft law as a “good sign” but noted that the LGBT community was also expecting anti-discrimination legislation.
For the civil partnership bill to become law, it must first pass through parliament and be signed by President Andrzej Duda, a conservative and former ally of the previous nationalist government. His term is set to end next year.
As of Friday, there was no comment from the presidential palace regarding the new bill
