Czech government backs bill on same-sex marriage

PRAGUE - The Czech government gave its backing on Friday to a bill to allow same-sex marriage.

The Czech Republic has been allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter registered partnerships since 2006. A group of 46 lawmakers across the floor drafted the marriage bill, arguing that gay couples deserved the option of full marital status.

An opposing bill, presented by 37 lawmakers, calls for a definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman to be enshrined in the constitution.

The bill allowing same-sex marriages would need only a simple majority in the 200-seat house, while the constitutional change would require 120 votes.

In a poll conducted in May, 50 percent of respondents supported gay marriage. Seventy-four percent approved of the existing registered partnership option.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Friday his government backed the legislation to introduce same-sex marriage. But it is uncertain when the parliament may get to a vote on the rival bills as the parties have been struggling to create a full-fledged administration since last October's election.

Reuters