Penelope Galliou

The thread of the public debate on the institutionalization of marriage for same-sex couples intends – now officially – to be cut by the prime minister himself within the next few days, putting an end to the objections of the opposition that the government is postponing the social reform in question indefinitely.

The step that Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to take advantage of to start the dialogue, positioning himself for his intentions and goals on the burning issue of same-sex marriage, according to government sources, is likely to be his introduction to tomorrow’s meeting – the first for the 2024- meeting of the Council of Ministers, or otherwise the interview he is expected to grant on Wednesday on state television.

The goal of Megaros Maximos, and personally of the Prime Minister, is to set the framework for the discussion that will lead, after public discussion and consultation, to the submission of the legislative regulation.

To communicate the basic principles that will govern the upcoming bill, precisely to expose and explain to society what is going to be promoted, the necessities that impose it, but also to remove any reservations expressed by a section of society, whether coordinated from within of the Church, either by a portion of blue-collar executives, or by ordinary citizens who maintain their reservations.

Special weight in the public debate is expected to be given to the issue of childbearing, which seems to be the biggest “thorn” for the reactionaries.

It is critical – according to government sources – to separate the right to procreation, which includes the recognition of children in same-sex relationships and adoption, from the issue of assisted reproduction, which also includes surrogate motherhood.

The same sources estimate that with the legislative regulation the “green light” will be given to procreation, but not to assisted reproduction, which, based on the current legislation in our country, is only allowed to heterosexual couples or to single women, and it is estimated that this regime will continue to exist.

According to information, in Herodos Attikou, in addition to the “common reception” of opinion polls that show almost divided public opinion on the marriage of same-sex couples, measurements that “ran” throughout the previous period by Megaro Maximos also arrive, which allegedly reflect that the issue of same-sex marriage disturbs the so-called “right-wing” audience, without, however, being an issue that changes their electoral behavior.

However, according to the same information, all data is put in the “scale” of communication and the clear and thorough explanation of all the issues that arise and trouble with the aim of removing concerns and reservations.

At the moment, the timetable for each stage of the public debate until it is reflected in the bill that will be submitted to the Parliament, has not yet been clarified and the prime minister himself will have the final say on this.

However, according to government sources, it will not be indefinitely and everything will be done in order and at the appropriate time, emphatically repeating the prime minister’s unwavering will and commitment to legislate the marriage of same-sex couples.

A message that seems to be addressed to the opposition, which today is expected to “throw down the gauntlet” to the government, submitting to the Parliament – as announced by the president of SYRIZA Stefanos Kasselakis – a proposal for a law on marriage equality, while a corresponding initiative will the New Left also took over.