The Polish government announced new rules regarding abortions.

The Polish government announced changes to the legislation aimed at easing safe access to abortions and confirming their legality. EuroNews reports this.

The previous government restricted access to abortions, leading to mass protests and doctors' reluctance to agree to perform the procedure due to fear of persecution.

The new government, led by Donald Tusk, promised to liberalize the legislation to allow abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy. However, in July, the bill on partial decriminalization of abortions was rejected by the lower house of parliament, the Sejm.

«We are looking for such ways of action, in accordance with the law, that will allow legal access to abortion for women who, for various reasons, should have the right to this abortion», – Tusk explained.

According to the new rules, a woman can have an abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy in a hospital upon the recommendation of one doctor, including a cardiologist, endocrinologist, or psychiatrist. The doctor performing the procedure is not held responsible for this.

Previously, abortion was only possible in cases of pregnancy resulting from sexual violence or in situations of extreme danger to the health of the pregnant woman.

Polish President Andrzej Duda vetoed changes to the law that provided for the over-the-counter sale of emergency contraception pills to women over 15 years old.

«The main justification for the president's decision is a desire to respect the constitutional rights and health care standards of children», – the statement said.

Last year, it was reported that commercial clinics on the Russian-occupied peninsula refused to perform abortion procedures. Such a decision could have been made under pressure from the occupying authorities, who want to establish full control over the reproductive sphere. Restricting access to abortions violates women's basic rights and does not help solve demographic problems.