The Slovenian Parliament adopted an amendment on Tuesday authorizing the marriage of same-sex couples and adoption, after a judgment by the Constitutional Court, making this country the first in Eastern Europe to legislate in this direction. The amendment to family law was voted by 48 deputies, 29 parliamentarians voted against and one abstained.
Slovenia, resulting from the break-up of Yugoslavia, is the first former communist country to ratify this reform in Europe, most of its neighbors not authorizing civil unions or same-sex marriages. In Hungary, discussing homosexuality in front of minors has even been punishable by a fine since the summer of 2021. A member of the European Union (EU) since 2004, this Alpine state of two million inhabitants joins 17 countries on the continent having already legalized marriage for all.
With these changes, we are recognizing rights for same-sex couples that they should have had for a long time.
In July, the country’s highest court ruled that the law defining marriage as the only union of a man and a woman discriminated against to gay and lesbian couples. It suspended the contested articles with immediate effect and ordered Parliament to amend the text within six months.
“With these changes, we are recognizing rights for same-sex couples that they should have had for a long time”said Secretary of State Simon Maljevac in front of the deputies, during the presentation of the amendment.
The main opposition party, the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), criticized the Court’s decision and organized several rallies of opponents. “The best of fathers will never replace a mother and vice versa”said the president of the SDS parliamentary group, Alenka Jeraj, at the opening of the debates.