MADRID, June 23, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Spain’s Senate has voted against a bill to legalize same-sex “marriage.” The measure simply delays what most analysts see as inevitable – that the lower House will frustrate the Senate’s attempt to quash the measure by a peremptory vote, expected next week.
The Catalan Christian Democrat party joined forces with the opposition Popular Party in the Senate to defeat the controversial bill, opposed by millions of faithful in the predominantly Catholic country. A demonstration Saturday in Madrid saw nearly two million protesters gathered to voice their opposition to the Socialist ruling party’s measure.
In Spain, the Senate lacks veto power, and is only able to make recommendations. The first passage of the bill in the House was by 183 votes – seven more than necessary to obtain a majority.
The Senate meanwhile vetted Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s no-fault divorce bill, which eliminates the need for married couples to state any reason for their desire to divorce. The new measure also eliminates the requisite trial period of separation, allowing couples to divorce as soon as three months after marriage.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Spanish House Approves Gay “Marriage” and No-Fault Divorce
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/apr/05042104.html
International Media Massively Under-Report Numbers at 1,000,000+ Spain Pro-Marriage Demonstration
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jun/05062001.html
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