Germany won’t get same-sex marriage any time soon
Chancellor Angela Merkel rules out following Ireland's example
“Today was an important milestone in dismantling discrimination and the chancellor is pleased about that… but same-sex marriages are not a goal of this government.”
–German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesperson, Steffen Seibert, speaking with Reuters about Ireland’s referendum on same-sex marriage.
In the wake of Ireland’s historic referendum, in which almost two-thirds of voters supported granting marriage equality to gay and lesbian citizens, there have been calls around Europe for similarly conservative nations to follow in Ireland’s footsteps. However, Merkel, whose Christian Democratic Union party governs in coalition with another party, continues to oppose marriage equality in Germany.
Katrin Göring-Eckardt, leader of opposition Green party, told Germany’s Die Welt newspaper that: “The Merkel faction cannot just sit out the debate on marriage for all. I am confident that the Irish vote will accelerate equality in Germany.”
Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
“Every country makes its own laws – some countries go one route while others go another,” Seibert stated. “In Germany we’ll take a path that suits Germany.”
Same-sex couples in Germany have had access to registered partnerships since 2001, which provide most of the benefits of marriage, including adoption rights.
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