Romania: political dispute over anti-gay-marriage referendum
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The leader of Romania's biggest party on Friday asked two colleagues to withdraw a bill calling for a referendum on amending the constitution to ban gay marriage to be held on the same day as parliamentary elections.
Two Social Democratic Party senators submitted a draft bill on Thursday, calling for a referendum on changing the constitution to specify that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. The initiative is backed by a petition signed by almost 3 million people.
The constitution now defines marriage as a union between two people, with no reference to gender.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Liviu Dragnea, chairman of the Social Democrats, said, the issue should not be mixed with the election.
If Parliament approves the bill in two weeks, there would be a referendum on Dec. 11, the date of parliamentary elections.
The conservative and influential Romanian Orthodox Church backs the proposed change in the constitution.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Same-sex marriage is not legal in Romania, and the unions of same-sex couples married abroad are not recognized.
Romania's Constitutional Court is currently considering a petition made by two men, a Romanian and American, who want their 2010 marriage in Belgium legally recognized.
The court has postponed making a ruling three times. The next hearing is set for Nov. 29.