German Parliament Overwhelmingly Passes Bill Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

Chancellor Angela Merkel Votes No

The German Parliament has just passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage by an overwhelming margin of 393 to 226. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who signaled she would not block lawmakers from voting their conscience just days ago, voted no. Eighty percent of Germans support the right of same-sex couples to marry.

“For me, marriage in German law is marriage between a man and a woman and that is why I did not vote in favour of this bill today,” Merkel said after the vote, according to The Independent. “I hope that the vote today not only promotes respect between different opinions but also brings more social cohesion and peace.”

Merkel, a highly respected politician in Germany and around the world, effectively allowed the marriage vote ahead of national elections in September. The bill is expected to be signed into law around July 7. It includes adoption rights.

“If the Constitution guarantees one thing, it is that anyone in this country can live as they wish,” Thomas Oppermann, the parliamentary leader of the Social Democrats, said, as The New York Times reported. “If gay marriage is decided, then many will receive something, but nobody will have something taken away.”

Image: Two men react as bill passes
Photo: Screenshot via DW News/Facebook