PiS could overturn in vitro law if elected
PR dla Zagranicy
Jo Harper
26.06.2015 11:28
The opposition Law and Justice (PiS) may decide to overturn recently passed IVF legislation if it wins the election in the Autumn.
Leader of Ruch Palikota Janusz Palikot (R), Deputy Speaker of the Sejm Wanda Nowicka (2R) and leftist Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) leader Leszek Miller after the Sejm voted to pass legislation on 25 June. Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak
The Sejm voted on 25 June to make married and unwed couples eligible for IVF if other treatments give no results within 12 months.
Deputy Speaker of the Sejm and head of the party’s election campaign Stanisław Karczewski told TVN24 that the bill was “a big disaster.”
Parliament voted 261 for, 176 against, with six abstentions. PiS voted against, saying IVF breaks the constitutional right to life. It also warned it may take the bill to a special court that rules on the constitutionality of new laws. The Catholic Church also opposes the bill.
The bill now will need to pass through the Senate and needs to obtain presidential approval before becoming law.
“This is a very bad bill, which I personally, as a Catholic, a man of faith, do not agree with. In the Senate I will vote against. Although I am fully aware the Senate will pass the bill and President Bronisław Komorowski will sign it into law," Karczewski told TVN24.
“We will change the law so that it won’t be possible to freeze embryos and so that civil partnerships won’t be able to use the in vitro method,” Karczewski.
Socially conservative PiS is leading in the opinion polls and looks set to govern after elections are held in the Autumn. (jh)
Source: PAP