Poland's Constitutional Court Upholds Ban on Recognizing Same-Sex Unions

Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal has issued a final ruling prohibiting the country from recognizing and registering same-sex unions entered into in other European Union member states. The court ruled that such procedures directly contradict the fundamental principles of Polish law.

According to Inquirer.net, the judges’ decision was unanimous. The verdict was based on Article 18 of the Polish Constitution, which defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. According to the tribunal’s position, matters of family policy fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of national authorities, not European courts.

This ruling effectively blocks the demands of the European Court of Justice, which had insisted on recognizing the status of same-sex couples to ensure their rights within the republic. In its reasoning, the court emphasized that “marriage, as a union between a man and a woman, as well as the family, motherhood, and fatherhood, are under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland.”

It is worth noting that Poland remains one of four European Union countries—along with Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia—where any form of official same-sex relationship is prohibited by law. Public opinion has a significant influence on this policy: approximately 70% of Poland’s population is Catholic, and for them, preserving traditional family values is a top priority.