Same-sex couples bill introduced in parliament – vote on February 15

Today, Thursday, February 1, a bill on civil marriage equality for same-sex couples was introduced into parliament, said Parliament Speaker Konstantinos Tasoulas.

Next Monday, February 5, the bill will be submitted to the relevant parliamentary committee. On Wednesday, February 7, representatives of relevant authorities will be invited to the committee. On Monday, February 12, the second reading of the bill will take place, and on February 14 and 15 it will be put to a vote at the plenary session of parliament.

“Cracks” in the New Democracy parliamentary corps and tolerance for abstinence

The controversial bill, which has caused friction within both the government and opposition parties, has recently monopolized the political agenda, with many New Democracy MPs reportedly abstaining from voting, something Kyriakos Mitsotakis agreed with. Moreover, he stated that he would not impose party discipline in order to “reset” the required majority and accept Maxim’s legislative initiative.

What is expected with interest during the vote on this bill is, finally, the number… present in the House of Representatives, since dozens of deputies will obviously abstain

However, the issue became more complicated when we moved from the “blue” MPs to disagreements between ministers – in particular, State Minister Makis Voridis – and deputy government ministers, with the Prime Minister making it clear that it was one thing to tolerate … the abstinence of parliamentarians, and another – “rebellion” in the Council of Ministers.

However, this issue was quickly resolved after it became clear from Maxim that he would tolerate the dissenting Voridis, so the minister, wherever he is, makes it clear that the south-west will not be divided over the controversial bill, stating Moreover, he will abstain from voting.

What Mr. Mitsotakis will do with his deputy ministers, and there are quite a few of them, is unclear, since sometimes he sends them messages suggesting expulsion, and sometimes… tolerance.

Debate about the debate in SYRIZA and PASOK

The bill on same-sex couples, however, affected not only the unity of the ruling party, but also the opposition parties. With the exception of the KKE, which made it clear from the outset that it would vote against the bill, SYRIZA was, in principle,… “giddy” about whether its president Stefanos Kasselakis would impose party discipline.

This is because while Mr. Kasselakis himself spoke about party discipline, SYRIZA spokeswoman Dora Avgheri “corrected” him so that the president could return and insist on his positions.

As for PASOK-KINAL Nikos Androulakis, things were not going well there either, since more than 10 MPs, that is, a third of the parliamentary group, expressed concern about the bill on same-sex couples. It appears that most will choose not to enter the House during the vote, following the blue example of abstention.

In short, what will be interesting about the vote on this bill will ultimately be the number… present in the room, since dozens of members of parliament will obviously abstain.

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