Recognition of same-sex unions in Germany

A clear majority of German MPs have voted to legalise same-sex marriage, days after Chancellor Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to a vote, according to BBC. 

The reform gives gay men and lesbians full marital rights, and allows them to adopt children.

At present, same-sex couples are limited to civil unions.

Germnay has voted to legalise same-sex marriage.

Germany legalized same-sex marriage on June 40 in a change nonetheless opposed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, joining many other western democracies in granting gay and lesbian couples full rights, including adoption.

German lawmakers will decide Friday whether to legalize same-sex marriage, according to CNN affiliate NTV. The snap vote comes after Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday that she would like to see parliament move towards a "vote of conscience" on the issue.

Turkey has welcomed new German legislation that partially removes the citizenship "option model," which affects approximately 3.5 million Turkish immigrants living in Germany, the largest ethnic minority in the country.