Polish President Karol Nawrocki Vetoes Civil Partnerships Bill
Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoes civil – Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoes a landmark piece of legislation aimed at expanding rights for unmarried couples across the nation. In a formal statement released on Friday, the conservative head of state announced his decision to block the civil partnerships bill that had been advancing through Poland’s legislative process. The veto represents a significant setback for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist government, which had championed the reform as part of its broader agenda to modernize Polish family law.
The legislation, originally proposed ahead of last year’s parliamentary elections, sought to create a new legal framework for unmarried partners. Under the proposed system, couples would receive a “status of the closest person,” granting them many of the same protections currently available to married couples. These rights include joint property ownership, access to each other’s medical records, and burial rights alongside their partner.
“I have always emphasised that nothing that is a quasi-marriage can count on my support,” Nawrocki explained on social media platform X. “As the guardian of the Constitution, I cannot accept a solution that would lead to the loss of the special status of marriage defined as a union of a woman and a man.”
To address concerns from conservative factions, coalition leaders clarified that the “closest person” designation would not be limited to romantic relationships. The arrangement could potentially be formed between neighbors, family members, or other individuals seeking legal recognition of their close bond. This flexibility was designed to broaden the bill’s appeal and reduce political resistance.
Following the veto announcement, Prime Minister Tusk responded sharply on X, describing the decision as “an expression of contempt toward people and their right to happiness and a normal life.” The president’s action comes despite Tusk’s pro-European Civic Coalition having pledged to introduce civil partnership legislation within its first 100 days in office last year.
However, governing with more conservative coalition partners and sharing power with Nawrocki has meant that many of the party’s campaign promises on social issues have taken longer to reach a compromise and come to a vote. The political dynamics have created additional hurdles for progressive reforms in Poland.
Public opinion appears to be shifting in favor of expanded partnership rights. In 2025, state research agency CBOS found that 62% of Poles supported legalising same-sex partnerships, marking the highest level of support ever recorded for the measure in the country’s history. This growing acceptance stands in contrast to Poland’s current legal landscape.
Poland, alongside Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia, remains one of the last countries in Europe not to have legalised same-sex marriage or civil unions. The president’s veto may delay further progress on this front, but advocates continue to push for comprehensive reform that would bring Poland in line with broader European trends toward recognizing diverse relationship structures.
