Italian Senate Delays Debate on Civil Unions




The Italian Senate has postponed its debate on same-sex unions because of concerns over adoption rights.

The delay is likely to last until at least February 23rd.

Opposition to the civil union bill seems focused on provisions for adoption. Opponents are concerned it could encourage surrogacy, which is illegal in Italy.

And this worry does seem reflected amongst the Italian population where support for same-sex unions is high, but support for same-sex adoption is low.

In 2015, Italy was criticised by the European Court of Human Rights for failing to offer any kind of legal provision to same-sex couples. 

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