Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for unity in his party, Civic Platform, at a meeting with the party's members of parliament. The meeting was called to discuss the issue of regulations regarding civil unions that could grant same-sex couples rights similar to those of married couples.

According to a source quoted by Gazeta Wyborcza, the prime minister said that civil unions are not a matter of MPs' conscience, but a decision for the party leadership to make.

Conservative MP John Godson said he felt “somewhat with his back against the wall” on the matter. When asked if he and other MPs from Civic Platform's conservative faction would leave the party he responded, “It is possible but I hope it won't come to that.”

Parliamentary voting on January 25 Civic Platform's conservative wing voted against such legislation on civil partnerships. The Sejm rejected three draft laws on this issue, one of which had been submitted by Civil Platform member Artur Dunin and was supported by the prime minister.

Poland A.M.