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1. Why are the protests so massive?
Poland already has one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. According to the AP, fewer than 2,000 abortions are performed each year. Women’s rights groups estimate the true number to be around 200,000. These abortions are performed illegally in Poland and abroad.
If the law were to become a reality, in practice it would mean that abortions are hardly possible in Poland. The country is Catholic, but it had a liberal abortion law during the communist era. Since the right-wing conservative PiS (Law and Justice) party came to power, Poland has moved in a more conservative direction at all levels. But the biggest problem is not the ideology of the party, but the constant violence of the rule of law, the dismantling of public services and the corruption of the judicial system.
American historian and Polish expert Anne Applebaum writes on Twitter that Friday’s demonstrations are not just about women’s right to choose. They are criticizing what she calls a “pseudo court”, that is, the Constitutional Court, which on October 22 decided that it is a violation of the Polish constitution to allow the abortion of an injured fetus.
2. Who are the participants in the demonstrations?
The driving forces are women’s organizations. But the participants are a wide range of different social groups. Many of the protesters are urban youth, but farmers have also participated.
There are many indications that PiS did not expect the protests to be so extensive. When they accused the LGBTQ movement of defending pedophilia in the presidential elections, it did not generate an equally massive reaction at all. The fact that several Polish localities have declared themselves “LGBTQ-free zones” has also not led to large-scale demonstrations. The protesters who are now mobilizing use very harsh language against those in power and openly insult them.
3. Will the law change be implemented, despite the protests?
Polish President Andrzej Duda has suggested that abortion be allowed in cases where there is a “high probability” that the fetus will be stillborn or will inevitably die after birth. It does not appear to appease the protesters.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki asked people on Friday to take a break from the demonstrations: Covid cases in the country are increasing and crowds increase the risk of spreading the virus. Morawiecki suggests continuing the discussion later. But his plea sounded on deaf ears. That same night, 100,000 people demonstrated in Warsaw. Next week, the organizers plan more demonstrations.
Read more:
New Polish mass protest against abortion law
Protester in Poland: “You can’t stay at home”
