At Riigikogu session yesterday, the last item on agenda was supposed to be Registered Partnership Act implementing provisions draft legislation, but as Conservative Party (EKRE) deputies already undertook to delay the session during the initial topics to be discussed, the working day ran out and discussions of the provisions will be tackled only today.
Registered Partnership Act discussion postponed till today
25th November 2015, 10:42
Please note that the article is more than five years old and belongs to our archive. We do not update the content of the archives, so it may be necessary to consult newer sources.
At the start of the session, Jüri Adams of the opposing Free Party handed in a «coupleship bill» which would nullify the registered partnership act passed last year while offering same sex couples the legal rights and options needful to execute their wishes and needs.
The bill prescribes that two same sex people could enter an agreement, provided neither is married not party to another agreement of the kind. From entry into force of such contract, the two would be subject to a different assets relations agreement in its main versions identical to what is prescribed for those who are married in Estonia.
Mr Adams told the Riigikogu that the replacement is aimed to retain the positive political aspects which arose during the registered partnership process, while eliminating the negative ones. In his words, the current implementation act package makes almost a caricature out of Estonian society and legislation.
«The passing of this act in the current form would definitely be a catastrophe. This is among the top awful bills ever to be processed at Riigikogu,» said Adams.
The coupleship bill initiators include all seven Free Party faction delegates and Centre’s Kersti Sarapuu, Marika Tuus-Laul and Peeter Ernits.
A separate bill to nullify the registered partnership act was forwarded yesterday by 12 oppositional Centre and EKRE deputies.
Registered Partnership Act implementing provisions draft legislation was put forward by 38 coalitional Reform and Soc Dems deputies.
During the Riigikogu session yesterday, Foundation for Protection of Family and Tradition (SAPTK) organised a demonstration against Registered Partnership Act.
Police and Border Guard Board said the demonstrations were peaceable. «On the Castle Plaza, a man has fastened his poster to the fence which was unbefitting for the organisers of the event. The patrol asked the man to take it down whereupon the man left with the poster,» said a press representative.
Previous Riigikogu membership narrowly passed Registered Partnership Act on October 9th last year. Initiated by 40 Riigikogu members, 40 Reform, Centre and Soc Dems members voted yes and 38 Reform, Centre and IRL deputies were against.