The Seimas of Latvia in its final reading adopted a package of eight bills, which will introduce the institution of partnership in the country from July 2024. Same-sex couples will be able to enter into them. This was reported by the Latvian news agency LETA.
The Latvian Parliament has been considering various bills on the partnership institution for 24 years, but has not adopted them due to a possible negative reaction from voters with conservative views, Delfi notes.
Today the amendments were considered for the ninth time, 53 deputies voted for, 43 parliamentarians voted against.
The authors of the adopted law have repeatedly emphasized that their proposed form of partnership is focused not only on same-sex couples, but applies to all people who “for some reason cannot or do not want to enter into an official marriage.”
The adopted law does not establish the rights of partners to raise children.
According to the amendments, a person who has entered into a partnership will be able to make decisions related to the health and treatment of a partner, who is not able to do this on his own; receive social guarantees, for example, a pension accrued but not paid until the death of a partner, as well as tax benefits. Notaries will enter into and dissolve partnerships.
The package of bills will finally come into force when it is proclaimed by the President of Latvia.
As Kaspars Zalitis, head of the Dzīvesbiedri movement, which advocates for the legalization of LGBT unions, told Delfi, “the introduction of a new legal institution in Latvia — partnerships — is a good start, but the proposed measures are insufficient.” According to him, recognition of the partnership will require amendments to “another 70 laws,” including those related to raising children.