Photo: Collected
Polish President Andrzej Duda hinted on Wednesday (13 March) that he might veto the bill allowing the sale of morning-after pills for individuals aged 15 and above without prescription in the country.
The bill was earlier approved by Poland's parliament. Duda is an ally of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, which stands against abortion.
"I am waiting for [the bill] to come to my desk, then I will analyze all its details and decide on its fate. I will not sign a bill that introduces unhealthy and dangerous rules for children," the president said in an interview.
Selling emergency contraceptive pills to minors without a prescription is a "far-reaching overkill," Duda said, adding that he did not object to emergency contraceptives in general "because they are already on the Polish market and available" with a prescription.
The president added that he did not object to emergency contraceptive drugs being taken by minors with the knowledge of their parents.
"Let it happen with the consent of the mother, father, and not so that the girl bought a pill and just in case, for example, took five at a time," Duda said.
Abortion has been prohibited in Poland since 1993. The only exceptions are situations in which the life or health of a pregnant woman is threatened, and cases in which the pregnancy results from rape.
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