Greece to vote on legalizing same-sex marriage
Newsy
It's a first for an Orthodox Christian country and comes despite opposition from the influential Greek Church.
Greece's parliament is set to vote Thursday to legalize same-sex civil marriage in a first for an Orthodox Christian country and despite opposition from the influential Greek Church.
As lawmakers debated the bill for a second day, opinion polls suggest that most Greeks support the proposed reform by a narrow margin. The issue has failed to trigger deep divisions in a country more worried about the high cost of living.
The landmark bill drafted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ′ center-right government is backed by four left-wing parties, including the main opposition Syriza.
That would secure it a comfortable majority in the 300-seat parliament. Several majority and left-wing lawmakers are expected to abstain or vote against the reform — but not enough to kill the bill. Three small far-right parties and the Soviet-inspired Communist Party have rejected the draft law.
Supporters and opponents of the bill have announced plans to hold separate gatherings outside parliament later Thursday.