Greek government's plans to legalize same-sex marriage win key opposition backing

Source: Associated Press

Greek government’s plans to legalize same-sex marriage win key opposition backing

Updated 4:26 PM EST, January 11, 2024

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The center-right Greek government’s plans to legalize same-sex civil marriage received a major boost Thursday after the left-wing opposition leader pledged his party’s backing in parliament.

Syriza leader Stefanos Kasselakis said he would instruct his lawmakers to vote for the proposal, although he argued that it didn’t go far enough on parenthood rights.

Kasselakis, who married his male partner in New York in October, has expressed the desire to acquire children through a surrogate mother.

Syriza’s support would practically ensure the draft law’s approval in the 300-seat parliament.

The governing New Democracy party has 158 lawmakers, but about a dozen have voiced objections to the proposal — which has also met with reservation from the country’s influential Orthodox Church. However, the backing of Syriza’s 38 lawmakers should suffice to tip the balance.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/greece-same-sex-marriage-rights-surrogacy-8a7d60168c8f5fb8808af1c379778c35