Paul Moss

Poland is, in many ways, you'll have to excuse the near pun, a deeply polarised society.

Many among its younger, urban-based population have values which would be considered progressive by any European standards.

But in rural areas, the country's more conservative Catholic tradition still holds sway.

One issue which has proved particularly polarising is LGBT relationships.

And now the government in Warsaw has sent a bill to Parliament to legalise civil unions for couples living together.

And that would include same-sex relationships.

Anna Aslam reports.

This bill would allow any two people, regardless of gender, to sign a cohabitation contract, which would let them access each other's medical information, inherit assets and jointly file taxes, among other benefits.

However, it would not allow couples to share surnames or adopt children.

And for many LGBT campaigners fighting for equality, the bill is a disappointing half-measure.

Ahead of the last election, Prime Minister Donald Tusk had promised to introduce a bill legalizing civil partnerships within 100 days.

but he struggled to deliver reforms because of his coalition government's more conservative wing.

Poland is mostly Catholic, and many religious conservatives have criticized measures advocating for LGBT rights as gender ideology backed by destructive foreign powers.

The president, Karol Nowrocki, has said he'll veto any bill that, as he puts it, undermines the constitutionally protected status of marriage.

Prime Minister Tusk acknowledged this bill's limited scope is the result of a compromise.

I realise this, but this is the minimum of civilisation that Poland must be able to afford.

Our task is to make life easier and to ensure that those who choose partnership and therefore who benefit from the status of next of kin will be able to be treated by the Polish state as all citizens deserve.

The first reading of the bill is scheduled for next month.

If it gets through both houses of parliament, it'll then need to be signed into law by the president.

So, still a long way to go.