Poland’s Defence Ministry on December 16 sent a memo to the Prime Minister’s Office proposing changes to the “person closest” law, including a one‑year trial period for co‑habiting partners.
MON Proposal on Person‑Closest Status
The memo from State Secretary Paweł Bejda to State Secretary Mariusz Skowroński outlined the Defence Ministry’s stance on the draft law regulating the status of a person closest within a joint co‑habitation agreement. It calls for an amendment that would grant individuals in such agreements all rights specified in the affected laws after one year from the agreement’s signing. Mateusz Sulwiński of the Stonewall LGBT advocacy group described the proposal as a new ministerial idea, adding that the draft would establish a one‑year trial period for partners in a civil partnership.
PSL Torpedoed Partner Marriage Law
The law on person‑closest status emerged after the PSL (Polish People’s Party) opposed the partner law permitting the formalization of same‑sex partnerships, especially regarding registration in Civil Registry Offices. PSL‑aligned politicians, including those at MON, warned that new legal arrangements could lead to financial abuse. The opposition to the partner law had been voiced in the spring by ministers led by PSL members.
What Happens Next With Person‑Closest Status?
The Cabinet of Ministers will convene on Sunday, December 18, to debate the proposal, after which the draft will be forwarded to the Sejm. State Secretary Katarzyna Kotula indicated that the government hopes to adopt the measure by the end of December, possibly before Christmas or New Year.
Potential Changes
Individuals who sign a joint co‑habitation agreement must notarize and register it with the Civil Registry, although it does not alter their civil status. The document will allow tax exemptions on inheritance and gifts, joint health insurance, eligibility for a family pension, burial rights, and mutual access to medical records.