Polish lawmakers vote to move forward with work on lifting near-total abortion ban

Polish lawmakers vote to move forward with work on lifting near-total abortion ban

Polish lawmakers voted Friday to continue work on proposals to lift a near-total ban on abortion, a highly divisive issue in the traditionally Roman Catholic country, which has one of the most restrictive laws in Europe.

Members of the lower house of parliament, the Sejm, voted to work on four separate bills. Two of them propose legalising abortion through the 12th week of pregnancy, in line with European norms.