BEVERLY HILLS, June 30, (THEWILL) – The German parliament on Friday, voted by a wide margin to legalize same-sex marriage days after Chancellor Angela Merkel kicked against the decision.
The bill, passed by 393 votes to 226, with four abstentions, gives homosexual couples in Germany the same rights as heterosexual couples, and will allow same-sex couples to marry and jointly adopt children.
The bill is to pass through Germany’s upper house next week and once it has been officially signed into law, Germany will become the 26th country where same-sex marriage is legal.
Speaking after the vote, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel revealed that she had voted no on the issue, but that it had been important to put it to a vote of conscience.
“For me and the basic law, it’s about the marriage of a woman and a man. That’s why I voted against it,” she said.
“I hope that the vote today shows not only the mutual respect for different opinions but that this also leads to more peace and social cohesion as well.”
Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the second largest party in parliament, Martin Schulz, tweeted his delight at the news.
“Progress is possible. As the 23rd country on earth, we now have marriage equality in Germany. I’m happy for all the married couples to-be.”
