Watch Live: Discussion on bill concerning same-sex partnership

An ideological rift between the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) ruling party and its junior coalition party member Independent Greeks (ANEL) has resulted following the submission of the bill that allows for same-sex partnership rights. ANEL’s position is to vote against the first 14 articles of the bill that give the LGBT community the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.

Despite ANEL’s refusal to pass the bill that promotes LGBT rights, the legislation will be passed due to the support of the socialist PASOK party, centrist Potami and the Union of Centrists. The conservative main opposition New Democracy Party has yet to take an official stand, whereas the Greek Communist Party (KKE) and ultra-nationalist Golden Dawn are expected to vote against the bill.

Discussion began shortly after noon on Tuesday and it didn’t take long for discussion to escalate. Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos wore a rainbow badge and spoke of the relations between the left with its political liberalism while condemning Greek society for stigmatizing sexual preferences.