Greece legalises same-sex marriage, adoption

ATHENS - Greece's parliament overwhelmingly adopted a bill legalising same-sex marriage and adoption in a landmark reform promoted by the conservative government despite opposition from the powerful Orthodox Church.

Once the law is promulgated, Greece will become the 37th country in the world and the first Orthodox Christian one to legalise adoption by same-sex families.

The bill, which was supported by the New Democracy party of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, was approved with 176 votes out of the 245 MPs present following two days of debates.

"This is a milestone for human rights, reflecting today's Greece -- a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values," Mitsotakis said on X, formerly Twitter.

When the result was announced, dozens of people waving rainbow flags celebrated in front of the parliament building in central Athens.

Although dozens of ruling New Democracy party legislators were expected to oppose the bill, support from opposition parties meant it was certain to pass.

Mitsotakis, who personally spearheaded the bill, had urged lawmakers to "boldly abolish a serious inequality" in Greek democracy that had rendered same-sex families "invisible".

The reform would "significantly improve the lives of quite a few of our fellow citizens, without taking away anything from the lives of the many", he added.