Austria’s parliamentarians have rejected moves to legislate for same-sex marriage by a massive margin.
In a vote held in the National Assembly, a motion to introduce gay marriage was roundly defeated by 110 votes to 26. Only members of the the nation’s Green Party, which had tabled the motion, fully supported the move.
The vote has come as a shock to gay advocates as a landmark legal decision in January saw the lifting of a ban on adoption by gay couples across Austria. That move led to increased calls for moves to legislate for gay marriage.
Currently, and since 2010, Austria recognises what are termed ‘registered partnerships’ which do not bring the same state benefits as for married heterosexual couples.
The National Assembly vote is set to have a knock-on effect for the current debate in Germany on same-sex marriage, which was sparked by Ireland’s recent Yes vote on the issue. While there are calls from within the Bundestag for a redefinition of marriage, Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democrats Union have vocally opposed any such move during the present administration.
