Representative Democracy Polish Style

Most of the political parties represented in the parliament said they had counselled their members to vote according to their personal convictions instead of on party lines.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would have further tightened abortion law in Poland failed in parliament Friday. A two-thirds majority is needed for passage.

The law would have amended the country's constitution to protect human life from conception - in practice it would have led to a full ban on abortion. Currently Poland only allows abortions in cases of rape, severe birth defects or when the life of the mother is in danger.

Parties stepped aside on this issue allowing the lawmakers to vote according to their personal convictions. Thus, the MPs answer to their constituency and not party bosses.

Refreshing! Reminds me of how it was so long ago in America. Two thumbs up.

Could we hope American politics like the Poles would ever take the high road? Limme check my Spirytus bottle. Yep, it's half empty.