Polish President Karol Nawrocki Vetoes Civil Partnership Bill

President Karol Nawrocki exercised his veto on two bills that would have created a "status of the closest person" and a cohabitation contract for unmarried couples, including same‑sex partners. The draft law would have granted rights such as joint property, shared tax filing, access to a partner’s medical information, burial decisions and other benefits for an estimated two million Poles living in informal relationships.

Nawrocki argued that the measures would amount to a new legal institution comparable to marriage and would breach Article 18 of the Polish Constitution, which defines marriage as a union of a man and a woman. Government equality commissioner Katarzyna Kotula criticised the veto as a reversal of promises to the affected citizens, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the decision a “show of contempt” and said it jeopardised a hard‑won compromise.

To overturn the veto the Sejm would need a three‑fifths majority with at least half of deputies present, a threshold the ruling coalition is unlikely to meet. The move also raises questions about Poland’s compliance with European Union rulings that recognise same‑sex marriages performed abroad.