GERMANY LEGALISES SAMESEX MARRIAGE
CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL SAYS SHE VOTED AGAINST THE MOTION
BERLIN:
German lawmakers voted on Friday to legalise same-sex marriage, a move widely supported across the country that brings Germany in line with many of its peers.
Chancellor Angela Merkel voted against the measure, but paved the way for its passage by allowing members of her conservative party to vote according to their conscience.
Lawmakers voted 393-226 to legalise “marriage for everybody,” with four abstentions.
Underlining the delicate political tightrope that Merkel walked, the “no” votes came entirely from her conservative bloc, although some prominent party members, including defence minister Ursula von der Leyen and her chief of staff Peter Altmaier, voted for it.
Gay couples outside the chancellery, not far from parliament, kissed and hugged after the decision was announced.
That prompted her centerleft rivals to call for a quick vote on the issue, adding it to the agenda Friday on parliament’s last regular session before Germany’s September 24 national election.
Germany has allowed same-sex couples to enter civil partnerships since 2001, but has not granted them full marital rights, which include the possibility of jointly adopting children, even though gay marriage enjoyed some 80%support, according to recent polls.
Germany is the 23rd country to recognize same-sex marriage .