President Andrzej Duda informed on Wednesday he has decided to veto an amendment to law on education, known as lex Czarnek, and sent it back to parliament for reconsideration. "I'm not saying I had no reservations with regard to this bill. I had, but it also included a number of solutions I supported and thought they should be introduced. But let's put this aside for now," he explained.
The president announced his decision after a session of the National Security Council devoted to Russian invasion into Ukraine.
"It's no secret that you have been asking me - members of the opposition and various circles - to veto the bill on education, those changes to that law. Because I call on you to be united, to end political disputes, I have decided to send this bill for reconsideration," he informed.
He added that he had spoken with Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek about his decision. "I've carried out your call, your request. "I'm not saying I had no reservations with regard to this bill. I had, but it also included a number of solutions I supported and thought they should be introduced. But let's put this aside for now. At this moment, this bill has been vetoed," he said.
A bill championed by Poland's ruling nationalists increasing government control of schools was passed by parliament on Feb.9, with critics arguing it could limit teaching on LGBT and reproductive rights.
The Law and Justice (PiS) party says the changes are needed to protect children, but opponents argue they are part of a wider effort to eliminate liberal values from public life.
Critics say it will only further politicize schools, fuelling accusations that the Polish government wants to promote conservative values by backtracking on LGBT rights and sex education.
PiS has previously called for education reforms, pointing to the need to defend traditional Christian values and teach children to be proud of Polish history.
Under the new law, extracurricular activities run by non-governmental organisations in schools would need to be approved by a government-appointed supervisor. The law would also make it easier to fire school principals.
The bill was rejected by the opposition-led upper house, but the rejection was overruled by the lower house of parliament Wednesday. Some 233 lawmakers voted in favour of overturning the Senate's vote, 220 were against and two abstained.
Opposition politicians have called on Duda to veto the bill.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP, Reuters
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: TVN24