Same-sex marriage now legal in Germany

German MPs have legalised gay marriage after Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to a vote. Same-sex couples can now be legally married in Germany following a clear majority vote passed a bill in the German parliament the 30 June.

The vote took place just four days after Chancellor Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to a vote on the issue. The new bill was backed by 393 MPs, with 226 voting against and four abstaining.

Gay couples in the country – who were previously limited to taking part in civil unions – now have full marital rights, including the possibility of adopting children.

Merkel had previously opposed a vote on the issue, saying that, for her, marriage is between a man and a woman. Despite voting against the new legislation, she decided to reverse her position on calling a vote after a ‘life changing’ experience in her home constituency, where she had dinner with a lesbian couple who cared for eight foster children.

The chancellor said she hoped the passing of the bill would lead to “more social cohesion and peace”.