Greece Becomes 16th EU Country and First Orthodox Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage is now state law in Greece. The bill on same-sex marriage was passed by the Greek parliament by roll call vote. A total of 254 MPs voted in favour, 176 voted in principle, 76 voted against, and 2 were absent.  LIFO writes about this.

"Today, Greece has become the 16th EU country to legislate for marriage equality," wrote Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his first post after the adoption of the same-sex marriage bill.

In particular, Article 1 of the law states that it "aims to ensure the principle of equality by extending the possibility of marriage to persons of the same sex and strengthening protection against discrimination in line with the implementation of the National Strategy for LGBTQI+ Equality". 

An application for the first marriage of a same-sex couple after the approval of the law has already been registered at the Nova Smyrna City Hall. The wedding will take place in the town hall of Nova Smyrna.

As The Gaze wrote, on Valentine's Day, Greek lawmakers held a heated debate on a landmark bill to legalise same-sex marriage. 

The Archbishop of Greece said that "it would be good if this particular vote was a roll call vote". His proposal was supported by 21 MPs. Three objections to the bill on same-sex marriage and adoption were also filed on the grounds of unconstitutionality. A recent poll in Greece showed that only 55% support same-sex marriage, and an even smaller majority supports same-sex procreation.

Greece has now become the 16th country out of the 27 members of the European Union to legalise marriage for same-sex couples. Globally, 35 countries have allowed it.