Polish MPs vote to move forward with legislation to lift near-total abortion ban

Campaigners celebrate first step to loosening some of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws as four bills are sent to committee stage

Politicians in Poland have voted to move forward with draft legislation aimed at lifting the country’s near-total ban on abortion, in what campaigners described as a crucial first step towards loosening some of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws.

On Friday MPs in Poland’s lower house of parliament voted to send four bills on abortion for further study by a parliamentary committee, including two that propose legalising abortion until the 12th week of pregnancy.