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Romania's anti-gay marriage vote voided over low turnout | Romania's anti-gay marriage vote voided over low turnout |
(35 minutes later) | |
Low turnout has voided a referendum in Romania on restricting the definition of marriage to exclude same-sex unions, election officials have said. | |
Just 20% of registered voters had cast their ballot by the time polls closed at 6pm GMT on the second day of the referendum – well below the 30% threshold needed for the result to be valid. Final results are expected Monday. | Just 20% of registered voters had cast their ballot by the time polls closed at 6pm GMT on the second day of the referendum – well below the 30% threshold needed for the result to be valid. Final results are expected Monday. |
Romanians had been asked whether the constitution should be altered to define marriage as explicitly between a man and woman, rather than just “spouses” as it is currently defined. | Romanians had been asked whether the constitution should be altered to define marriage as explicitly between a man and woman, rather than just “spouses” as it is currently defined. |
A poll on Friday had indicated that as many as 90% of voters were in favour of the change. | A poll on Friday had indicated that as many as 90% of voters were in favour of the change. |
Same-sex couples are already not allowed by law to marry or enter into civil partnerships in Romania. | Same-sex couples are already not allowed by law to marry or enter into civil partnerships in Romania. |
But ahead of the vote, critics said a change in the constitution would make it nearly impossible for gay people to win the right to marry in future. | But ahead of the vote, critics said a change in the constitution would make it nearly impossible for gay people to win the right to marry in future. |
Those in favour of the amendment, backed by the powerful Orthodox Church, insisted they wanted to defend traditional family values. | Those in favour of the amendment, backed by the powerful Orthodox Church, insisted they wanted to defend traditional family values. |
“If we allow gay people to marry, tomorrow they will be asking to adopt children and that would be unacceptable,” said one retired man on Saturday. | “If we allow gay people to marry, tomorrow they will be asking to adopt children and that would be unacceptable,” said one retired man on Saturday. |
However, others criticised the motion. “It is an enormous lie and a waste of money,” said Ileana Popescu, a retiree, after attending mass in Bucharest on Sunday. | However, others criticised the motion. “It is an enormous lie and a waste of money,” said Ileana Popescu, a retiree, after attending mass in Bucharest on Sunday. |
“We should let everyone choose whether or not to marry, regardless of their sexual orientation.” | “We should let everyone choose whether or not to marry, regardless of their sexual orientation.” |
Critics said the leftwing ruling Social Democrats (PSD) were using the referendum to revive support among the country’s overwhelmingly Orthodox population and deflect attention from corruption scandals implicating party officials. | Critics said the leftwing ruling Social Democrats (PSD) were using the referendum to revive support among the country’s overwhelmingly Orthodox population and deflect attention from corruption scandals implicating party officials. |
The PSD leader, Liviu Dragnea, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday to appeal against a three-and-a-half year jail sentence over a fake jobs scandal. | The PSD leader, Liviu Dragnea, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday to appeal against a three-and-a-half year jail sentence over a fake jobs scandal. |
Several voting stations in the centre of the capital were virtually deserted early Sunday afternoon. | Several voting stations in the centre of the capital were virtually deserted early Sunday afternoon. |
“The aggressiveness of the ’Yes’ campaign, the attempt to instil hatred against a minority, has made Romanians reticent to vote,” sociologist Gelu Duminica told AFP. | “The aggressiveness of the ’Yes’ campaign, the attempt to instil hatred against a minority, has made Romanians reticent to vote,” sociologist Gelu Duminica told AFP. |
Romania | Romania |
LGBT rights | LGBT rights |
Europe | Europe |
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