Greek Parliament approves law on same-sex civil partnerships

The Greek Parliament has passed on the 22nd of December 2015, with a wide majority, legislation extending to same-sex couples the 2008 law which recognized cohabitation for unmarried couples. Among other, the bill addresses inheritance and property issues. 

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said the passing of the bill helped defend people’s right to equality “regardless of gender and sexual orientation.” He continued stressing that “this ends a period of backwardness and shame for the State, which led to our country receiving international rulings against it. Instead of celebrating, though, maybe we should apologize to hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens that have been denied their rights all these years.”