German Parliament Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

On Friday, July 9, the German Parliament approved the legalization of same-sex marriage. With this action, which was supported by many lawmakers in the country, Germany joins other Western countries where same-sex marriage is legal. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, voted against this law but allowed members of her Christian Democratic Union to vote according to their personal beliefs. According to the Associated Press, out of the total members of the German Parliament, 393 voted in favor of the law, named 'Marriage for All', while 226 voted against it and four abstained. Almost all parliamentary factions of the two conservative parties, the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union, voted against this bill, except for a few prominent figures, highlighting Angela Merkel's difficult position as the leader of this conservative bloc and Chancellor. A large number of same-sex couples and their supporters gathered around the Chancellor's office and the Parliament building to celebrate this decision. After years of resistance and strong opposition from Merkel's party to same-sex marriage, she announced on Monday that members of her party could vote on this bill based on their personal beliefs. This move prompted her main rival, the Social Democratic Party, to call for a quick vote on the matter. They managed to add this topic to the current parliamentary agenda before the German parliamentary elections scheduled for September. In total, 75 members of the two conservative parties, including several prominent members such as a Berlin representative, the Minister of Defense, and the Chancellor's Chief of Staff, voted in favor of the bill. Many civil activists praised Angela Merkel's decision for paving the way for this vote, but leftist politicians emphasized that Merkel has always been a staunch opponent of same-sex marriage and does not deserve this praise. Germany has recognized the cohabitation of same-sex couples and its legal and civic aspects since 2001 but was unwilling to recognize their marriage. Meanwhile, according to the latest polls, nearly 80% of the German public supported this move. Several Western European countries have legalized same-sex marriage in recent years, and Germany was the largest Western European country that did not recognize this right. According to data from the Pew Research Center, cohabitation of same-sex individuals is legally recognized in several other European countries as well. Amnesty International praised the passage of this law in Germany as a 'victory for equality.' This law must be approved by the upper house of the German Parliament and then confirmed by the President before it can take effect, but both steps are largely ceremonial. At the same time, legal complaints against it are expected. Merkel told reporters that her opposition to same-sex marriage was based on her interpretation of the country's constitution, but she does not oppose child custody by same-sex couples. Child custody is one of the important rights that will be granted with the legalization of same-sex marriage.