His comments followed protests against a possible ban on Sunday in the cities of Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, Lublin, Kielce, Torun, Opole, Szczecin and Białystok.
Gowin, who is also Minister of Science and Education, told public broadcaster TVP on Sunday night that any changes to current laws should only take place after “a very mature and calm discussion.”
The deputy prime minister, who noted that he is against abortion, said that a total ban could “lead to rebellion which in a few years could lead to the full liberalization of anti-abortion legislation.”
Prime Minister Beata Szydło stated on Thursday that she is in favour of a complete ban.
Her comments followed an open letter signed by the head of the Polish Episcopate Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, calling on parliamentarians to vote through the ban.
At present NGO the PRO Foundation (Fundacja Pro) is gathering signatures for a so-called citizen's bill, under the slogan 'Stop Abortion'.
If 100,000 signatures are gathered, the draft legislation can be submitted to parliament.
Both Gowin and Szydło have stated that if the bill is taken up by parliament, MPs in ruling party Law and Justice will not be coerced into voting in favour of a total ban.
Gowin said that “each MP will vote as their conscience dictates.”
Protesters against a total ban have adopted the coat hanger as a symbol, arguing that prohibition could lead to a rise in crude DIY and backstreet abortions.
Current laws
Poland's current laws, which have been in place since 1993, are among the most stringent in Europe.
Abortion is only permissible if a woman's life or health is jeopardised by the continuation of a pregnancy, if the pregnancy is a result of a criminal act such as rape or incest, or if the foetus is seriously malformed. The abortion must be carried out within the first 25 weeks of the pregnancy. (nh/pk)
Source: TVP