Polish lawmakers are pushing back against a proposal from the European Commission that would have all member nations of the EU recognize same-sex marriages that took place in other countries. Deputy justice minister Sebastian Kaleta has stated that Poland intends to veto the proposal.
According to Christian Network Europe (CNE) representatives from Brussels proposed the new regulation, posing it as a bolster to the rights and well-being of children. The European Commission wrote in its press release:
“One of the key aspects of the proposal is that the parenthood established in a Member State of the EU should be recognized in all the other Member States, without any special procedure.”
Kaleta strongly opposed the measure, noting that the plan would bind Poland to the “rights of Western Europe.” He noted that the wording of the proposal would disregard any nation’s ban on surrogacy and force nations to offer adoption to same-sex couples. He went on to muse that the law could lead to more stringent regulations, like forcing Poland to recognize same-sex marriages or gender theory.
Currently only 14 of the 27 EU nations recognize same-sex marriage, with seven more acknowledging “registered partnerships.” Countries opposed to surrogacy have also found it hard to prevent prospective parents from bringing foreign surrogates back to the parent’s country and the European Commission’s proposal is expected to make it harder still.
The proposal must now head to the European Council and the European Parliament for debate, but Kaleta has firmly stated that Poland will not adhere to the measure, if passed. Notes From Poland has his comments:
“As long as [this] government is at the helm in Poland, this document will never come into force,” said Sebastian Kaleta.