Switzerland’s govt physique introduced Wednesday that same-sex {couples} can get married beginning on July 1 subsequent yr, making good on the resounding assist Swiss voters expressed in a referendum.
The Federal Council formally stated that beginning January 1, Switzerland would recognise the marriages of same-sex {couples}, who wed in different international locations as an alternative of continuous to deal with the unions as easy civil partnerships.
In setting a date for the “Marriage for All” regulation permitted by voters in September to take impact, the council stated that civil partnerships would now not be potential in Switzerland as of July 1. Couples already in civil partnerships, which the nation authorised in 2007, will probably be allowed to take care of them with out having to get married.
Switzerland is likely one of the few remaining international locations in Western Europe the place homosexual and lesbian {couples} don’t have already got the fitting to wed.
The referendum permitted by an awesome majority on September 26 will put same-sex companions within the wealthy Alpine nation on equal authorized footing with heterosexual {couples}, together with by permitting them to undertake youngsters collectively and to sponsor a partner for citizenship.
Supporters of the referendum had acknowledged it will be months earlier than same-sex marriages might start, largely for administrative and legislative procedures.