According to Inostranets, the corresponding decision was made by an overwhelming majority of votes in the chamber of representatives of the Belgian parliament. According to the new law, same-sex couples should have the same rights and obligations as spouses of "traditional orientation". According to Deutsche Welle, the law should come into force after it is signed by King Albert II. The first marriages of same-sex couples may be concluded as early as this summer.
Church representatives stated that they will not oppose the legal recognition of relationships in "same-sex communities". True, they consider it inappropriate to call such an institution a marriage.