Polish lawmakers vote to ease abortion ban, but face likely presidential veto

Poland's lower house of parliament on Tuesday voted to allow abortion in case of foetal abnormalities and to decriminalise providing help in getting an

abortion, as lawmakers seek to reverse a near-total abortion ban introduced by the previous government.



The legislation, however, is almost certain to be vetoed by the nationalist president.



Poland, a predominantly Catholic country, introduced a near-total abortion ban in 2021 after the constitutional court ruled that terminations due to foetal abnormalities were unconstitutional. The abortion ban led to widespread protests.



Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European coalition won the 2023 election partly on a pledge to ease abortion restrictions. President Karol Nawrocki has signalled he would block any liberalisation of the law.