The bill entitled “Equality in civil marriage, amendment of the Civil Code and other provisions” has caused turmoil in all parties and everyone is waiting to see how many will be those who will vote for, abstain or vote against from ND, SYRIZA and PASOK.
The prime minister spoke about an existing social reality which will remove a great inequality in his speech to the Parliament on the marriage of same-sex couples. He also emphasized that with a necessary addition to family law, justice is rendered in the everyday life of our fellow citizens of the same sex.
“We are here to face an existing social reality together with responsibility, boldly lifting a serious inequality for our democracy. To protect the self-evident rights of children with the shield of their parents and to finally render justice to the everyday lives of our fellow citizens of the same sex.
The reform legislated today makes the lives of many of our fellow citizens better without detracting from the lives of many. It is something that the constitution provides for and our government requires. For invisible people to become visible and for many children to find their place that suits them. After all, these are at the center of the bill’s interest as both parents do not legally have the same possibilities to offer them. To pick them up from school, to travel with them, to go to the doctor, and if one parent is lost, they should be taken to an unknown relative or to an institution for fostering”.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that “yes, the sensitivity of the majority against the few is being tested, just as an inclusive society wants it, and at the same time, our own ability to synchronize our pace with what is happening in other countries is being judged. Legal systems adapt internationally to new issues. Issues of citizenship, tax and employment settlement or more symbolic choices that become socially progressive when they recognize real relationships.”
He described today’s reform as useful and necessary and said that its content is unfortunately clouded by circulating myths. In a message to the congregation, the Prime Minister said: “The law also equalizes citizens vis-à-vis civil marriage. Religious marriage is a religious sacrament and the exclusive business of the church. The state respects the positions of the church, always based on the distinct roles of the two institutions, the state must also proceed in its own actions with the compass of the law. The Caesars of the Caesars and the gods of the gods. To put it simply: either priest – priest or couple – couple”.
“We are moving steadily towards the State of Law and equality,” the Prime Minister emphasized and continued referring to the Economist’s report. “I heard some comments and you were quick to express indignation about the rule of law in our country, what do you have to say that the Economist ranked Greece in the 21st place in the world for the rule of law. Why don’t you tell your MEPs who go and defame our country and vote to cut funds in Greece. Take Mr. Famelle to give it to your MEPs, instead of pointing the finger at us. No need to say more. Most Greeks, despite the difficulties they face, are proud of the way we face difficulties and eliminate inequalities. Society has more maturity and gentleness than many parties and politicians,” he said.
After his installation the prime minister said that «we evolved important intersections that did not disturb social cohesion and are today acceptable choices that did not disturb our relationship with the church. It won’t happen today either. The current affairs often highlight the discussion around marriage in relation to other topics. However, the occasion gave the opportunity to hear many opinions. Specialists and mainly people who had not been heard until today. Experiences of same-sex families and children. They provided us all with clarifications. Yes, it is true that there are reservations that run horizontally across all parties. Even now it is good to once again explain the provisions of the bill and answer reasonable concerns that I want to separate from the absurd accusations and speech of intolerance heard in this room.
One of these reasonable concerns claims that what we regulate today could be regulated by the cohabitation agreement. But then all we would do would be to create 2 similar institutions for the same issue. Let’s not forget the pact that I personally voted for, a few months before I was elected president of the ND, is a loose contract that can be dissolved with a simple statement. The bill does not address medically assisted reproduction. Top regime remains the same. The adoption framework remains just as strict. So it is wrong to make false goals only for some to attack with bullet fire. Citizens should know what we are voting on today».
For adoption and those that are trafficked he said have shaky foundations. “The bill does not refer to assisted reproduction while it does not change anything in adoption. It is wrong to make false targets and their pre-decided shots are pointless,” he said. He also emphasized that for the first time the interested parties themselves spoke, as well as scientists who have studied the essence of the family over time and respond to every well-intentioned objection with children.
For those who are concerned, he emphasized that discrimination is removed with the bill and today we have indisputable empirical data that goes beyond our subjective beliefs. We know that happy children can grow up with parents of the same sex. No one was harmed by so much love, said the blessed mother, said the prime minister.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the stigma does not suit our society and “as for those who regard conservative thinking as their exclusive prerogative not to confuse conservation with regression. The preservation of values is a product of evolution, it is the transformation of preservation into an immovable slogan that turns it into a dogma, and this difference is what makes our faction truly progressive.”
The prime minister referred to what has been done during his prime ministership in terms of reforms to eliminate inequalities and said that his party is steadily walking the path of the rule of law and equality.
“What do you have to say to the opposition that the magazine that is identified like no other as the guardian of the rule of law and liberal democracy upgraded our country to 20th place worldwide for the first time since 2010 in a mature democracy. Why don’t you tell this to your MPs who are ugly in the European Parliament against the homeland when they are paid by the Greek taxpayer and vote for resolutions to cut European funds? Point the finger at us for the rule of law, he added.
“Most Greeks are proud of our country and happy that we are moving on a path of progress. Our society has more maturity and sobriety than some politicians,” noted the prime minister.
The bill will be put in the evening at roll call vote.
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