Coalition to Challenge Nawrocki’s Veto on the Closest Person Status Bill

Following President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of the closest person status bill in mid-July, the ruling coalition plans to force an override vote during the upcoming Sejm session in September.

Sejm Adopts and President Vetoes Bill

The Sejm passed the bill on the status of a closest person in a relationship and a cohabitation agreement at the end of May with 230 votes in favor, 198 against, and one abstention. In mid-July, President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the legislation, explaining that nothing resembling a quasi-marriage could count on his support.

The legislation proposed that two adults could sign a notarized agreement registered with the Civil Registry Office, regulating matters such as joint property, alimony, housing rights, access to medical information, and burial forms.

Coalition Prepares Veto Override Attempt

Katarzyna Kotula, Secretary of State at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister and a New Left MP, announced on TVN24 that the Sejm will attempt to overturn the veto during its scheduled September 2-4 session. Securing this requires a three-fifths majority with at least half of the statutory number of MPs present, amounting to a minimum of 276 votes if the hall is full, which would force the president to sign the bill.

Kotula appealed to right-wing politicians who privately acknowledge the law’s necessity for LGBT individuals to find the courage to vote and overturn the presidential veto.

Economic Impact and Political Strategy

Fitch Ratings views the blocking of government bills by President Karol Nawrocki as the greatest challenge to Polish public finances, surpassing defense spending, the energy crisis, and threats from the East, according to Sebastian Ogórek on Wyborcza.biz.

Kotula criticized the Presidential Palace for lacking the courage to act for all citizens rather than just its core electorate, asserting that the president is playing to the Confederation electorate. Political scientist Adam Traczyk noted on Wyborcza.pl that Donald Tusk does not shy away from confrontation and will not hesitate to fight back strongly against the opposition.

New Regulations on Foreign Marriage Certificates

Simultaneously, regulations enabling the transcription of foreign same-sex marriage certificates in every Polish Civil Registry Office entered into force on Sunday. Kotula explained that every civil servant and registry office will now be required to issue a Polish document certifying that a marriage contracted abroad is recognized domestically, regardless of the town’s size.