On 15 May, the Government of Estonia approved a draft act amending the current Family Law Act and other legislation to establish marriage equality and implement a Registered Partnership Act in the country. Led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of ALDE Party member Reformierakond, this follows the inclusion of marriage equality in the new government’s coalition agreement, which took office earlier this spring.  

If adopted, marriage or registered partnership would be possible between any two consenting adults, irrespective of sex. Additionally, simplified procedures would be implemented for transforming current registered partnerships into marriages, alongside new amendments to ensure all couples are able to exercise various rights and obligations within marriage and registered partnership contracts. 

The new Act is envisioned to enter into force on 1 January 2024, however the draft will first be discussed in the Estonian Parliament.

This week in Lithuania, Parliament adopted the draft law for same-sex civil unions in its second reading, with a majority of 60 MPs. This step forward for tolerance and diversity has been a core issue ALDE Party members Laisvės partija and Liberalų sąjūdis in the country.

Step by step, relentlessly without ever doubting that all citizens should have equal rights in Lithuania! #loveislove #LGBTQ Law on civil unions was adopted in second reading! We shall overcome! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 @TomasVytautas @ArmonaiteA @EveDobrovolska

— Laisvės partija (@laisvespartija) May 23, 2023

Photo credit: © Stenbocki maja