The Head of the Presidential Office, Paweł Szefernaker, clearly defined the position of the head of state regarding the proposed bill on the legal status of a “closest person.” President Karol Nawrocki has drawn firm boundaries that the authors of the bill must respect.
On Friday, during a joint press conference of the Left and the Polish People’s Party (PSL) in the Sejm, the main principles of the government’s bill on the status of a “closest person” and on cohabitation agreements were presented. The proposal — designed as an alternative to the bill on civil partnerships — would allow couples in informal relationships to conclude a formal agreement before a notary. The proposal has triggered reactions across the political spectrum, including from the presidential camp.
In his statement, Paweł Szefernaker emphasized that President Nawrocki had presented a clear stance on this controversial issue during the presidential campaign. The head of the presidential office stressed that marriage and family remain under the constitutional protection of the Republic of Poland — a fundamental reference point for any discussion of the proposed legislation.
Protection of the Institution of Marriage as a Priority
According to Szefernaker’s remarks, the president does not intend to accept any legal solutions that could create an alternative to traditional marriage. The head of state opposes granting the institution of a “closest person” any rights or attributes that, within the Polish legal system, are reserved exclusively for married couples.
“The president will not agree to build an alternative to marriage through new legal solutions,” Szefernaker emphasized, signaling a potential presidential veto against overly liberal proposals.
The head of the presidential office issued a clear appeal to the authors and supporters of the bill to take into account the president’s position. Szefernaker’s words can be interpreted as a warning that any proposal exceeding the limits set by President Nawrocki may not receive his signature.