Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in a Bloomberg interview that the legalization of same sex marriage is part of his government’s strategy.
“Same-sex marriage will happen at some point and it’s part of our strategy,” Mitsotakis, a center-right politician, said on July 4 in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Athens. “Greek society is much more ready and mature.”
Greece currently recognizes same-sex unions, also called “civil partnerships,” but stops shy of supporting full marriage.
The announcement from a prime minister coming from a so-called “conservative” political background and no-doubt supported by a right wing element of society is certain to ruffle feathers in a country where the Church still holds considerable influence.
Mitsotakis’ surprise announcement of his government’s plans come at a time when LGBTQ+ rights around the world have come under fire. In the United States, hundreds of laws have been passed limiting rights, while in Uganda, a law was passed outlawing homosexuality and making offenses punishable by death.
