France’s
highest court, the Constitutional Council has ruled that mayors must hold
same-sex marriage ceremonies, regardless of conscientious objections they might
have.

The decision means it will now be extremely difficult for anyone who is opposed to same-sex marriage on conscience grounds to become a mayor because they will be forced to faciliate something they disagree with,

A
law permitting same-sex marriage took effect in May, but proved controversial
and sparked violent protests.

Many mayors rejected it as a matter of
conscience.

However
the Council on Friday ruled that the law did not provide a “conscience
clause” for its opponents, the BBC reports.

There
were massive street protests against the law earlier this year.

The
issue aroused stronger than expected opposition in France, with opinion polls
suggesting nearly half of the population oppose gay marriage.

Protests
against the bill attracted some of the biggest public demonstrations seen in
France in decades.

A
large group of mayors and registrars had appealed against the legislation, saying it
should include a “freedom of conscience” clause allowing them to opt
out of conducting same-sex marriages if it goes against their personal religious
or moral beliefs.

They
argued that the lack of such a clause went against the French constitution.

President
Francois Hollande and his ruling Socialist Party made the legislation their
flagship social reform after their election in 2012.

But
the bill was dogged by fierce debate in parliament, legal challenges and
massive street protests before it became law on 17 May.

France
became the 14th country worldwide – and the ninth in Europe – to legalise
same-sex marriage.

Since
the law was passed some 600 gay couples have been married.

In
the handful of cases where mayors have refused to conduct the ceremonies, their
deputies have stepped in.

The
mayors have previously said they would take their case to the European Court of
Human Rights if the French court rules against them.