Justice Minister Andrea Orlando
said Thursday the Italian parliament had to meet Strasbourg's
demand to frame a law on civil unions for same-sex couples.
"I posit the issue of civil unions: the Senate and the
House should resolve it as they see fit, but let them resolve an
issue that has been highlighted by Strasbourg on recognising the
rights of certain citizens," Orlando said.
He said "an intervention is necessary, it's a fact we have
to face".
Premier Matteo Renzi's government has drafted a civil
unions bill that would give same-sex couples many of the same
rights and responsibilities as straight married couples,
including the right to adopt their spouse's children and for
widows to receive their deceased partners' pensions and inherit
their property.
However, the traditionally Catholic centre right, as well
as Catholic elements within the centre left, are not happy with
the bill, and are against recognising the rights of gays in
committed relationships to be parents.
They are particularly opposed to stepchild adoption, which
they argue, will inevitably usher in the legalization of
surrogate motherhood.
Renzi has said MPs should vote their conscience on the
long-delayed bill, which has most recently faced suggestions it
breaches the Italian constitution - assertions that its
supporters reject.
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