On Thursday evening, the 15th of February, the Greek Parliament passed a historic bill legalising same-sex marriage and granting full parental rights to same-sex couples, over the objections of conservatives and the powerful Christian Orthodox Church, reports Politico.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on X that the vote had been passed and that Greece had become the 16th European Union country to legalise “marriage equality”, describing it as a major human rights milestone that
reflects the progressive and democratic values of today’s Greece.
Around a third of the MPs from Mitsotakis’ ruling conservative New Democracy party abstained or voted against the bill, but it was passed with the support of the three opposition parties. However, the bill caused divisions within the progressive parties, which shows how divided Greece is on this legislation.
In the 300-seat parliament, 176 MPs supported the bill, 76 voted against and the rest abstained, making Greece the first Orthodox country to legalise same-sex marriage.
While the legislation
grants same-sex couples the right to adopt and guarantees equal parental rights,
it does not allow for surrogacy. However, the bill recognises children born abroad through surrogacy.
Prominent conservatives, including former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, have opposed the bill, arguing that same-sex marriage is not a human right.
Mitsotakis’ support for the bill is seen as an effort to appeal to centrists and liberals, given the threat to his government’s international image posed by the spying scandal and concerns about media freedom.
Last week, the European Parliament has issued a resolution expressing concern about the rule of law, media freedom and fundamental rights in Greece. The Greek Supreme Court issued a direct reply on Thursday in an unprecedented move, criticising the resolution as based on “vague and unsubstantiated allegations” and as “direct interference” in the work of the Greek judiciary.
Also read: Same-sex marriages legal in Estonia; couples will be able to adopt children as well
Also read: Latvian president promulgates law amendments for the adoption of partnership institute
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