Tusk on same-sex marriage transcriptions: no war with municipalities, urges calm as Equality Parade marks 25 years

Equality Parade and political expectations

Thousands of participants marched through Warsaw on Saturday for the 25th Equality Parade, marking a quarter-century of LGBT activism in Poland. Many expressed frustration with the ruling October 15 Coalition, saying that after a year and a half in power, little had changed for same-sex couples. Some told journalists directly that they felt let down by Civic Coalition, which had made many promises but delivered very little.

The Łomża press conference

A few hours later, Prime Minister Donald Tusk attended the inauguration of railway service to Łomża after a 33-year break. During a press conference at the revitalised station, he was asked whether the LGBT community could still count on the coalition's goodwill. Tusk responded that equality in Poland is not just about the Equality March. He then turned to a legislative project that his government had shepherded to completion.

The 'nearest person' law

"In a cautious, balanced and responsible way we have tried and succeeded in bringing to the finish line the law on the status of the closest person in a relationship and the common-life agreement," Tusk said. The bill now awaits the signature of President Karol Nawrocki.

It should give people the feeling that everyone is treated equally by the state, by the law. It also concerns partner couples being able to use the help and care of the state.

Tusk acknowledged the measure was not everything, but described it as an important step. "It would be good to have this stage behind us," he said. Under the proposal, two adults (including same-sex couples) could sign a notarised agreement that, once registered at the civil registry, would allow them to choose a property regime, establish maintenance obligations, secure rights to shared housing and grant the partner access to medical information as well as the power to act as a proxy in everyday affairs.

Municipal resistance and transcriptions

Several municipalities, especially in southern Poland, have announced they will refuse to transcribe foreign same-sex marriage certificates, despite a March ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court (NSA) and a May 22 regulation from the Minister of Digital Affairs that introduced separate marriage-act forms for man‑woman, woman‑woman and man‑man couples.

Asked what the government would do about the defiant councils, Tusk was blunt.

There will be no war with the municipalities. We must calmly get used to the fact that the time has come for people with different views, different lifestyles, different sexual preferences – each and every one, without exception – to feel like a full-fledged citizen and a respected human being in Poland.

He stressed that the procedures are clear: officials' decisions can be challenged in court, and citizens are not tied to their local registry office – they can submit documents in other towns. "I will want to appeal to everyone not to make a civil war out of this. It is really about people who have a different way of life not feeling alienated and not making their daily lives harder – and they are not the easiest anyway," the prime minister added.

President Nawrocki's red line

The head of state has already signalled his position. In a statement quoted by media, Nawrocki said:

I am the guardian of the constitution (...) and this constitution explicitly states that marriage is a union of a man and a woman, and I will not sign any law that would constitute an alternative to marriage. In line with my campaign declarations, with good will and with the negotiations taking place in the palace, I am ready to sign a law that is not ideological and that does not open a back door to an alternative to marriage or undermine the constitution.

Tusk nevertheless expressed hope that the president would sign the bill on the nearest-person status, framing it as a way for everyone to be treated equally under the law.