Czech lawmakers override presidential veto of partnership act

The lower chamber of the Czech parliament voted Wednesday to approve legislation that will grant some legal rights to same-sex partners, despite a veto by President Vaclav Klaus. Of the 177 lawmakers present in the 200-seat chamber, 101 voted in favor of the law, 57 were against, and 19 abstained. At least 101 votes were needed to override the presidential veto for the law to become valid.

Klaus vetoed the law in February, calling it "unprecedented expansion of state regulation into interpersonal relations." The parliament's lower chamber had approved it in December, and the upper chamber, the senate, approved it in January.

The legislation will allow couples who register their partnership with authorities to have rights to inheritance and health care similar to rights enjoyed by heterosexual married couples. The bill, however, does not allow marriage or adoption by same-sex partners.

"I have a message for the president...that common sense has won," said Jiri Hromada, a leading Czech gay activist, responding to the vote. "The law is a compromise. It will harm no one and will make many happy," Hromada said.

Parliament has turned down similar proposals five times in the past. (The Advocate)

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