On Tuesday the Parliament considered amendments of the Constitution concerning family concept. It is suggested to determine that the family is formed on the basis of marriage between a man and a woman. Also there was a suggestion to indicate in the amendment of the Constitution that family comes from motherhood and fatherhood as well. However, the Parliament rejected such rewriting of the Constitution, delfi.lt reported on 19 June.
The change of family concept lacked one vote. The premier Andrius Kubilius has for the first time missed Petras Gražulis, the member of Order and Justice Party and strong opponent of homosexuals, in the Seimas’ hall.
To adopt such a constitutional amendment, it was not only necessary for a simple majority of the Parliament, but at least 94 votes of Parliament members. After collecting such amount of votes, the Parliament would have to vote again, no sooner than three months. However, this vote will not be necessary.
The member of Labour Party Egidijus Klumbys proposed to supplement the family concept with one more provision which derives the family from “close relation”, for example, from relations between grandparents and grandchildrens. The Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs rejected the proposal. Because the term “close relation” could be very widely interpreted.
44 Parliament members voted in favour of E. Klumbys proposal, 20 – against and 34 abstained. Thus, the addition of the concept of “close relation” was not accepted.
Translated by Sandra Dijokaitė
Thank God, the amendment did not go through.