Swedish PM Faces Revolt Over Gay Marriage

Swedish PM Faces Revolt Over Gay Marriage

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: June 11, 2007 - 6:30 pm ET

(Stockholm) The coalition government of
Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt is in danger of collapse over the issue of same-sex
marriage.

Eight Members of Parliament from Reinfeldt’s own
Conservative Moderate Party are threatening to revolt if the party does not
officially support gay marriage legislation.

Two of Reinfeldt's coalition partners, the Center
and Liberal parties, already have announced their support for the bill. A third
party, the Christian Democrats are opposed to same-sex marriage and have
indicated they would veto the legislation.

Sweden already has civil partnerships under a law
enacted in 1995 that gives most of the rights and obligations of marriage to
same-sex couples who register. But the country's LGBT community and moderate
politicians have stepped up lobbying to have the law amended to permit gays and
lesbians to marry.

A parliamentary committee studying the issue last
year called civil partnerships outdated and has recommended Parliament allow
same-sex marriage. It also would allow gay couples to marry in churches.

So far Reinfeldt’s Conservative Moderates have
failed to introduce a gay marriage bill in Parliament and the party has
carefully avoided taking a stand.

A report issued by the committee last year noted
a public opinion poll showed that 46 percent of Swedes are supportive of gay
marriage, while 31 percent are opposed. The remainder were undecided.

Reinfeldt has said the party will make a decision
on the legislation at its annual convention in the fall.

The eight MPs pressuring him to act sooner are
said to include at least one cabinet minister.