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By a one-vote margin, the Estonian parliament on Wednesday completed the first reading of the bill of implementing provisions of the Registered Partnership Act.
Registered Partnership Act implementing provisions narrowly clear 1st hurdle
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The motion to complete the first reading was passed with votes 42 to 41 and 11 abstentions. Ninety-four members of the 101-seat chamber were present during the vote.
Votes cast in the bill's favor by Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) MP Maire Aunaste and Free Party MP Moonika Haukanomm were crucial for the completion of the bill's first reading on Wednesday. Two more IRL deputies, Marko Mihkelson and Mart Nutt, abstained, whereas the rest of MPs from IRL and Free Party voted against.
Also the overwhelming majority of Center Party deputies voted against the bill, with the exception of Jaanus Karilaid, Martin Repinski, Juri Ratas, Mailis Reps, Kersti Sarapuu and Vladimir Velman, who abstained.
MPs from the Conservative People's Party (EKRE) voted against the bill.
The bill advanced through the first reading mainly with the votes of Reform Party and Social Democrat deputies.
The implementing provisions are necessary for the civil partnership law to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2016 and would change more than 80 laws. The bill of implementing provisions was initiated by 38 MPs.
The gender neutral Registered Partnership Act was adopted by the previous lineup of the Riigikogu.
The implementing provisions are necessary, among other things, to be able to enter a registered partnership into the national register and determine the maintenance obligation between partners as well as succession rights.