Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the country will not be forced to legalize same-sex marriages in its national legislation, but will implement the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union requiring recognition of such marriages concluded in other member states, the Polish PAP agency reported, BTA reports.
Yesterday, the EU Court ruled that all member states are obliged to recognize same-sex marriages concluded in other member states of the union, even if the domestic legislation of the respective country does not allow such unions. The case that led to the decision arose in Poland.
During a government meeting today, Tusk said the issue was highly emotional and asked Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to present an analysis of the consequences of the court ruling. He added that legislation was being worked on to regulate related issues “in a way that the majority of Poles, through their parliamentary majority, consider appropriate“. The project was being developed “harmoniously“, the prime minister said.
Tusk stressed that Poland would implement the rulings of the Court of Justice of the EU, but according to its national regulations when EU citizens married abroad arrive in the country. He recalled that Poland had already faced challenges related to the interpretation of European court rulings and assured that the government would defend the Polish position while maintaining national competence.
The prime minister reiterated that “nobody will impose anything on us“ on this issue. He also noted a draft law presented by partners in the ruling coalition that aims to secure rights in areas such as inheritance, property and healthcare, although it faces resistance from the president. The draft was submitted to the Sejm in October and is still going through parliamentary procedures.