Malta legalizes same-sex civil unions as bill passes 37-0
VALLETTA, April 15, 2014 – In a vote of 37 to 0, the Parliament of Malta yesterday passed a measure to allow same-sex partners to contract legal civil unions, with similar rights and responsibilities to natural marriage. Despite strong public opposition to the idea, the bill also allows same-sex civil partners to adopt children. The entire caucus of the opposition Nationalist Party of 30 MPs abstained from the vote. Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca , who took office April 4, had pledged to sign the bill. Her predecessor, President George Abela , had refused to sign a civil unions bill just last month. Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca The provision allowing same-sex adoption was particularly controversial. Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil quoted a recent survey that showed 80 per cent of Maltese citizens oppose “gay adoption.” “Malta has not been prepared for such a step,” he said. But Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, leader of the Labour Pa