Bill on civil partnerships for same-sex couples will explicitly forbid adoption, says minister
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The draft bill opening up civil partnerships to same-sex couples will clearly state that it forbids adoption of children, Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos said on Monday, closing the first day of the discussion on the bill in a parliamentary committee, adding that, if need be, the ministry will include amendments to clarify the issue.
“The government drafts honest laws. If it wanted to add adoption, it would do so explicitly. It is an issue of interest to society and the government would not pass a vague or hidden law in a provision of the bill,” Paraskevopoulos told lawmakers, responding to reactions by several opposition MPs. “It is clear that this bill does not provide for adoption and if you think there is need for clarification I will add it,” he said.
In its first reading, the bill was approved by the MPs of the coalition government (SYRIZA and ANEL), as well as the Centrists’ Union. New Democracy, PASOK and Potami said they’re approve of the provisions on same-sex couples, but expressed concerns on other articles and asked for changes, while the Communist Party and olden Dawn expressed their complete opposition to the bill.