Italy's government has approved a bill granting new rights to de facto couples, including those of the same sex, in spite of strong opposition from the Vatican and resistance from Catholic lawmakers within its supporting centre-left coalition. Cabinet ministers unanimously agreed to the decision during an extraordinary cabinet meeting in Rome, Vannino Chiti, the minister responsible for relations with parliament, told reporters. The bill, which must now be approved by parliament, allows de facto couples to make their relationship official by notifying their local registrar's office. This will grant them certain rights, including the right to take over a partner's rent contract, access to inheritance and the right to visit their hospitalized partner without having to obtain permission from the victim's relatives first. Left-wing leaders described Thursday's decision as “historic”, coming more than 26 years after legislation on de facto couples was first submitted to parliament. "For the first time in our country, people in a steady relationship, whether heterosexual or homosexual, are granted important rights," said Piero Fassino, head of the Left Democrats. The draft approved on Thursday came after months of political wrangling and was seen as a compromise between the conflicting interests of Prime Minister Romano Prodi's nine-party coalition, which ranges from communists to moderates loyal to the Vatican. Gay rights activists complained that the draft was a watered-down version of what they had been campaigning for while Francesco Rutelli, whose centrist Daisy Party hosts pro-Vatican lawmakers, spoke of a "satisfactory agreement". Catholic Italy is one of the few European Union countries that has yet to grant any rights to gay couples. Thursday's bill introduces so-called "civil pacts of solidarity" (PACS), along the line of similar legislation adopted by France in 1999. PACS are "contracts" drawn up between two individuals who are in a stable relationship. Those who subscribe them enjoy greater rights and responsibilities, but less so than marriage. Pope Benedict XVI has repeatedly condemned them as "pseudo- matrimony" while Italy's bishops have warned lawmakers against adopting legislation that may threaten the traditional family. The bill can expect a rough ride through parliament. While Prodi can rely on a comfortable majority in the lower house, he commands only a razor-thin majority in the Senate. Defence Minister Clemente Mastella, head of the Catholic UDEUR party, refused to attend Thursday's cabinet meeting in protest at the bill. Ref: Jurnalo (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 9th February 2007 - 12:00pm