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Greek parliament approves same-sex civil marriage by wide majority

Featured Greek parliament approves same-sex civil marriage by wide majority

A bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in a civil ceremony was voted in the Greek parliament late on Thursday night by roll-call vote.

A total of 254 deputies voted. Of them, 176 supported the bill, 76 voted against it, and 2 declared 'present'.

The controversial bill was titled "Equality in civil marriage, amendment of the Civil Code and other provisions", and posted for public consultation before it was tabled in parliament on Wednesday by State Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos. 

Greece becomes the 37th country in the world to recognize equality in marriage, by moving to amend article 1350 of the Civil Code to introduce the rule that marriage is concluded between two people of the same or different gender. The new law will also allow the children of same-sex parents to be officially recognized in Greece.