The Polish government on Friday labeled the death of Polish aid worker Damian Soból as murder, following the deaths of seven humanitarian aid workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) serving in Gaza resulting from airstrikes conducted by the Israel Defense Force (IDF). Poland has requested Israel’s complete cooperation with their investigation into the incident. [...]
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Thousands march in Poland against attempt to liberalize abortion law
Thousands of people protested in Poland on Sunday against an attempt by the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish legislature, to further advance parliamentary works that would amend the strict abortion law currently in power. The parliament voted Friday on four-abortion related issues, in addition to creating an Extraordinary Committee to draft new abortion laws. [...]
Poland president vetoes amendment that would increase access to contraception pills
Polish President Andrzej Duda on Friday vetoed a proposed amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law that would allow young women aged 15 and up to purchase emergency contraception pills without a prescription. The president’s office stated the reasoning behind the decision was “the will to respect constitutional rights and the standard of health protection of children.” [...]
Poland president sends 2024 budget to the Constitutional Court for assessment
Polish President Andrzej Duda sent the 2024 budget to the Constitutional Court on Wednesday in the post-control mode to check its compliance with Poland’s Constitution. This decision was made due to doubts about the correctness of the adoption procedure, as two members of Parliament were unable to participate in the Sejm’s work on these acts. [...]
Poland right-wing party calls for protests against ruling party
The Law and Justice, a right-wing party in Poland, called upon its supporters to participate in a Thursday protest in defense of freedom of speech, media and democracy against the Civic Coalition, which is the current ruling political alliance in Poland. Since taking power in late 2023, the Civic Coalition and Law and Justice have [...]
Poland's Culture Minister orders liquidation of state media groups
Poland’s Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, issued an order on Wednesday for the liquidation of three prominent state media companies – television network Telewizja Polska (TVP), national radio broadcaster Polskie Radio and news agency Polska Agencja Prasowa (PAP). According to Sienkiewicz, the aim of this move is to ensure the continued operation [...]
Poland lawmakers approve amendments to controversial Russian influence law
Polish lawmakers voted on Friday to approve amendments to a controversial law on Russian influence. The pre-amended law was heavily criticized by the EU and US, who emphasized that it undermines democratic standard. The lower house (Sejim) approved the law 234-213 with 4 abstentions. Duda only needs to sign the drafted amendments before the bill [...]
EU starts infringement proceedings against Poland over new Russian influence law
The European Commission initiated infringement proceedings against member state Poland on Thursday over the country’s recently-passed law aimed at officials who have allegedly come under Russian influence. The new law, nicknamed the “lex Tusk” after former Polish PM and purported target Donald Tusk, establishes a committee to investigate whether certain officials acted under “Russian influence” [...]
Top EU court rules against Poland in judicial independence case
The Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) ruled Monday that Poland’s 2019 court reforms violated EU laws on effective judicial protection, judicial independence and the rule of law. The court sided with the EU Commission, which launched infringement proceedings against Poland over the reforms in 2019. The Court of Justice found that several parts [...]
Poland president proposes amendments to Russian influence law after criticism
On Friday, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that he was proposing amendments to the current law on Russian influence that is set to take effect next week. In a televised statement Duda said that he will be making amendments to the law to address the controversies from critics, including the removal of a ban which [...]