Civil union

Slovenian voters are casting ballots in a referendum that might turn it into the first Slavic, ex-Yugoslav and ex-socialist country to legalize gay marriage.

The Standing Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church upheld a previous decision denouncing the extension of civil partnership agreements to same-sex couples as an “aberration” to the institution of family.

The announcement was made in response to a draft bill on same-sex partnerships that the government will table over the coming days.

Ireland's new same-sex marriage law comes into force from Nov. 16, six months after the country voted to allow gay unions in a historic referendum.

Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos told Greek Parliament on Tuesday that the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZ) government plans to make good on its promise to extend civil partnership agreements to same-sex couples.

Greece’s population decreased by 21,592 in 2014, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (EL.STAT). More specifically, there was a decline in birth rates and a rise in deaths for 2014, according to the service’s data.

Archbishop Ieronymos, the head of the Church of Greece, on Thursday failed to back a government bill giving greater rights to gay couples, although he did not directly criticize the draft law either.

Greece’s Ministry of Justice announced on Wednesday that it plans to introduce legislation that gives Civil Union rights to same sex couples. The bill is part of broader legislation on insurance, tax and other issues concerning Greek citizens and aims to afford homosexual couples fundamental legal rights.

Gay couples will have the right to enter into civil union partnerships, according to a bill prepared by the Justice Ministry that was made public on Wednesday.

Same-sex partners will not be allowed to adopt children jointly, but the draft legislation does recognize property and hereditary rights.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott May 24 said his country would not follow Ireland's lead and hold a referendum on gay marriage, adding that any decisions would be made by parliament.

The Justice Ministry is drafting a law that will allow same-sex couples to enter into a cohabitation agreement that will grant parties the same rights afforded to heterosexual couples joined by contract, Kathimerini understands.