France sets date to say ‘oui’ for equal marriage
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France has named October 31 as the date when a draft law authorising equal marriage will be approved by government ministers.
Despite widespread political and religious opposition, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault insisted there would be no backtracking on a manifesto promise by President Francois Hollande in an interview with AFP.
More than 1,200 French mayors and deputy mayors have signed a petition opposing the government’s plans, with many of them warning they will not preside over same-sex ceremonies.
However, this represents less than one percent of the total number of mayors and deputy mayors in France.
Prime Minister Ayrault said the draft legislation will include provision for married gay couples to adopt children but the right will not be immediately extended to unmarried gay couples.
However, Mr Ayrault said this would be addressed at a later stage.
President Hollande has promised that the legislation will be on the statute books by mid-2013 and there is sufficient cross party support to ensure the government will be able to push it through on schedule.