A very clear ‘NO’ to same-sex marriage from the Minister of State on Thursday Makis Voridishas rattled the New Democracy government, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reportedly planning to put legislation to a vote in parliament before the end of the year.
Speaking at Open TV, Voridis said he would resign if the prime minister demands party discipline when voting in parliament on a bill legalizing same-sex marriage and expanding adoption rights for same-sex couples.
“The Prime Minister has not decided on a specific time for the implementation of this initiative; I have nothing to add to what has been said. My positions remain unchanged.”he emphasized.
He added that Prime Minister Mitsotakis will allow MPs from “New Democracy” vote “conscientiously”. When asked whether this would apply to ministers, he replied: “I don’t know. As far as I understand, (this will apply) to ministers,” adding that “in matters of conscience there is an understanding that I cannot back down. If someone tells me: ‘You have to do this,’ I I can’t do this”.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis made it clear that “No party discipline will be introduced.”
In July, Mitsotakis announced his intention to legalize same-sex marriage during his second term in office, arguing that “Same-sex marriage will happen someday, and it’s part of our strategy.” He further emphasized that “Greek society is much more ready and mature.”
Voridis was an MP from the right-wing nationalist party “People’s Orthodox Association” (LAOS) from 2005 to 2012, when he went to “New Democracy”.
Other ministers have also voiced objections to same-sex marriage.
According to media reports, Voridis’s position on this issue found a positive response among other ministers of the Mitsotakis cabinet.
Other ministers also voiced their objections to the bill, which is unlikely to be adopted, the newspaper notes. ethnos.gr.
Dissenters believe that in this case the government will create problems for itself, since the LGBTI community will also be unhappy.
Some believe that the civil partnership agreement already “covers” the marriage of same-sex couples, therefore does not need additional legislative support; others do not want it to the bill included “adoption”.
So the only thing the Prime Minister will get, some point out, is grumbling and dissatisfaction from both sides, some officials and ND legislators.
After all, as many have noted, If the bill also provides for adoption by same-sex couples, then with a high degree of probability it will not pass the plenary session of parliament, even if the majority of opposition parties vote for it.
PS The current SYRIZA, with an openly gay president, will clearly gather the entire local LGBT community under its wing, unless of course it completely falls apart by the next elections…
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