Poland looks to introduce same-sex civil unions

Poland's government on Friday submitted a draft law legalising civil unions -- a move long-awaited by same-sex couples in a country where Catholic traditions have enduring support.

The bill still has to run the gauntlet of the parliament and conservative President Andrzej Duda to come into force.

Duda has repeatedly butted heads on a range of issues with Poland's coalition government, made up of pro-EU parties that ousted conservative nationalists in elections last year.

"This is a new chapter in the long march towards equality," Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula said as she presented the bill.

She thanked the "long-standing work of many LGBT organisations" in drafting the law, which she called historic.

Marriage between a man and a woman is currently the only legal way to formalise a relationship in Poland.

Europe's top rights court has condemned Warsaw for failing to recognise the rights of same-sex couples.

Upon coming to power, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk promised to promptly present the civil unions bill.

But the step was delayed as Tusk's party had to bring its conservative junior partner in the coalition on board.

The proposed legislation would apply to "two persons" -- regardless of their gender -- who conclude a civil partnership in a registry office.

It also includes a provision to legalise unions of same-sex couples "who are married to each other under the law of a state other than Poland".

As it stands such same-sex marriages, even if made in another European Union country, are not recognised under Polish law.

Last year, the European Court of Human Rights urged Poland to recognise same-sex couples and protect their relationship.