Poland: Parliament debates easing strict abortion law ( www.dw.com ) Englisch

The three coalition partners that make up the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk have submitted several bills for discussion amid wide divisions on the issue.

Under a 2020 ruling by Poland's Constitutional Court, abortion is permissible after rape or incest or in cases when the pregnant woman's life is in danger, but illegal even if a fetus is severely abnormal.

Tusk has promised to liberalize the law, which was established by the previous conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party government. The anti-abortion law has strong support of the Catholic Church, which retains a powerful influence in the country.

Many had hoped that the debate would be held earlier, but conservatives in Tusk's three-party governing coalition wanted it delayed until last weekend's local elections were over.