1) Abortion, everything changes not to change anything

In Catholic Poland, abortion is still a very sensitive issue. In what is considered one of the most restrictive countries in this field, in fact, the only law in this regard dates back to 1993 and provides for the voluntary interruption of pregnancy in only three extreme cases:
- Sexual violence
- Severe risk of life / health of the mother
- Severe risk of irreversible malformation of the fetus

Nevertheless, in the wake of the great campaigns carried out by the organization Pro-Life, following a petition –during which 600,000 signatures were collected in just two weeks-this year has come to Parliament a bill proposal on the part of the citizens to completely abolish the institution of abortion. The debate has turned the political world of all orientations, however, at the end of August, the proposal was rejected, leaving the situation to the status quo.

According to the survey of the Public Opinion Research Centre in Warsaw in September 2011, however, 61% of Polish citizens would be against abortion as a whole. Most of the abolitionists, also, would be young people up to 25 years, on average poor residents of small towns or rural areas. During the elections last October, a new and more aggressive campaign was carried forward by the pro-life association, much supported by the population, which was also expressed through the production of very provocative posters accusing the politicians of the majority of inertia towards what they considered to be a “mass killing” of fetuses unacceptable especially from the religious point of view.

On this subject, this month West has contacted Piotr Borys, thirty-five years old Polish MEP from the European People’s Party, member of the Civic Platform, the party confirmed by the last election to government. The MP, a lawyer specialized in economic policy, is a member of the Committee on Culture and Education, and substitute member of the Committee on Legal Affairs at the European Parliament.

1.What could be the reasons that in April 2011 led to the collection in two weeks of 600,000 signatures to abolish abortion?

P.B. When it comes to a legislative initiative, you need 1 million signatures. These signatures are, however, only statements of opinion and in no way binding for the government. Each EU Member State individually regulates the question of abortion, because, as an emotive subject which deeply divides the ethical question, it is closely connected with the history and culture of each country. It is impossible to impose decisions at EU level in this regard. Of course, abortion causes emotions throughout Europe and you can find anywhere movements either in favor or against it. It is quite natural – the decision on this issue depends on the particular worldview of the individual.

2. What is your opinion about young people under 25 who are opposed to abortion?

P.B. As a rule, young people in Europe are more ideologically liberal than any generation that preceded them. At present, motherhood affects them especially after 25 years of age, and who is childless, often sees himself as a person rather liberal. However, when children are already on the horizon, usually the person’s attitude begins to change. Also my views have evolved in this way. Everyone is entitled to his opinions, which are usually the result of a cultural background, environment or education.

3.How do you justify or comment on the fact that Poland is one of the most restrictive countries in this regard?

P.B. Poland in the 90’s reached a difficult compromise, which has divided a part of society, but has since remained unchanged. It consists in the fact that abortion is prohibited, except in exceptional circumstances. First, when the pregnancy is the result of a rape, second, when the pregnancy threatens the life or health of a pregnant woman and third, when prenatal testing or other medical findings indicate a high probability of severe and irreversible damages for the fetus or an incurable disease that threatens his life. The compromise shows that none of the extremist forces – both with regard to the supporters of a ban on the right of abortion on the one hand, and the environment of the left, on the other – is not able to destroy it, but the conversation comes back in vogue from time to time. I will use here the results of a survey conducted by Newsweek magazine in 2010.

According to the report, 14% of Polish citizens are in favor of a total ban on abortion while 74% supports partial legalization. The approval for unrestricted access to abortion was expressed by 7% of respondents. 73% of Poles are against abortion on demand, and 87% supported the acceptability of abortion in case of threat to the mother’s life. When the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest, 78% of Poles accept abortion, while 60% of Poles are in favor of abortion, in cases where the child can be born handicapped. So in short, the overwhelming majority of Poles want to maintain the current balance.

4. Are there data and information on the number and the conditions under which illegal abortions take place in Poland?

P.B. Certainly the data from the underground market are not entirely reliable, so I’m not able to determine the number of illegal abortions or conditions. The women’s rights organizations, however, tend to overestimate the number of illegal abortions. There is also the phenomenon of so-called abortion tourism, that leads Poles to have the surgery done in countries where abortion is sometimes more easily available.

5.What is the position of your party on this issue?

P.B. My party, the Civic Platform, is in favor of maintaining the existing balance, ie, permitted abortion only in the three cases mentioned above. As for the philosophical questions there is no place for party discipline and all votes of members shall be done according to their own conscience. It should be noted that the views of the Poles are largely the result of historical, cultural or religious terms. In a Catholic country like Poland, the more the value of the compromise of the 90’s should be appreciated.