The bill was passed in clear numbers, despite the fierce opposition of the Orthodox Church.
Kai Jääskeläinen,
STT
In Greece, the country’s parliament has approved a law allowing same-sex marriage. At the same time, adoption for same-sex couples was also approved.
The legal status of same-sex couples was also equalized, e.g. in relation to child care, says New York Times.
In Greece’s 300-seat parliament, 176 MPs voted for the bill late Thursday evening.
The Prime Minister Kyriákos Mitsotákis according to which Greece commits itself decisively to European values.
– This is a milestone for human rights and reflects today’s progressive and democratic Greece, Mitsotäkis wrote on the messaging service X.
Greece becomes the first Orthodox country to accept same-sex marriages.
Mitsotäkis had promised to pass the legal package in parliament after his election victory last year.
– The reform will improve the lives of many of our fellow citizens without taking anything away from others, the Prime Minister said the BBC according to the parliamentary session before the vote.
Resist both the church and the parties
The bill received fierce opposition and criticism from the Greek Orthodox Church. According to the New York Times, some representatives of the church have announced that they will not baptize children whose parents are of the same sex. Opposition was also raised by the main government party New Democracy, as several lawmakers argued that the proposal undermines the nuclear family and traditional values.
However, Parliament voted 176–76 in favor of equality.
The main opposition party Syriza finally got behind the bill, even though some of its MPs initially did not want to support the proposal of the conservative main government party. Some members of parliament, on the other hand, were of the opinion that the bill was not comprehensive enough. Party chairman Stefanos Kasselakis however, with his instructions, he got the party behind the proposal.
However, the now approved law does not give same-sex couples the opportunity for, for example, artificial insemination treatments. It also does not guarantee parental rights to transgender people.
Sources: AFP, Reuters, AP