France approves same sex marriage and adoption law
Mr Hollande’s “marriage for all” law is the biggest social reform in France since his left-wing mentor and predecessor Francois Mitterrand abolished the death penalty in 1981, a move which also split the nation.
MPs in the lower house National Assembly, where Mr Hollande’s Socialists have an absolute majority, passed the bill by 331 votes for and 225 against yesterday, making France the 14th country in the world to allow same-sex couples to wed.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Many French people will be proud this job is done,” justice minister Christiane Taubira told parliament. “Those protesting will find themselves moved by the joy of the newly-weds.”
France, a mainly Catholic country, follows 13 others in letting gay and lesbian couples wed.
Unlike Mr Mitterrand’s abolition of the guillotine – which most opposed – polls showed over half the country backed Mr Hollande’s gay marriage law.