For the first time in a long while, there is good news for the Polish LGBT+ community. The current governing party, PiS, responsible for the country's anti-LGBT+ policies, appears to be unable to continue in power. According to exit polls, the democratic opposition, led by former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, has secured a majority of seats. Tusk pledged during the campaign to reverse the current government's anti-LGBT+ legislation.

Despite the PiS party seeming to be the largest, with around 36% of the votes, this is not sufficient for a parliamentary majority. Donald Tusk's liberal Civic Platform came second, with 31% of the votes. To govern, he can form a coalition with the left-wing Lewica, led by openly gay Robert Biedroń, and with the Third Way, a group of center-right parties.

The apparent end of PiS's rule is a relief for the Polish LGBT+ community. Eight years of conservative policies in the country led to the creation of so-called "LGBT+-free zones" and other attacks on the rights of the LGBT+ community. PiS leader referred to LGBT+ individuals as "foreign imports," which was seen as a "direct attack on the family and children."

LGBT+ activist Bart Staszewski stated on X (formerly Twitter) that "the nightmare is coming to an end." "Poland is back on the path of democracy and the rule of law. This is just the beginning of reclaiming our country. A battle is on the horizon, but today, we breathe fresh air. After eight years of government-sponsored hatred, authoritarianism in Poland is over. I still can't believe it..."

Registered Partnership

Despite the opposition consisting of a wide range of parties, including both conservative and progressive-left parties, there appears to be consensus on introducing registered partnership for same-sex couples. During a campaign event, Donald Tusk referred to the LGBT+ community as one of the minorities that had suffered the most under the PiS government. He announced that he had prepared a law to grant same-sex couples the right to a registered partnership. The Third Way, which includes several conservative parties, seems willing to accept this, even though they are against same-sex marriage.

Tusk has also prepared a law for transgender individuals. The opposition leader aims to simplify "the current highly complex and humiliating, dreadful legal procedures for trans persons." Currently, a transgender person must sue their parents to change their gender registration.