Italy has agreed a bill to recognise civil unions between couples of the same sex.
The civil union legislation passed by 173 votes to 71 in the country’s senate, despite opposition from the Catholic Church as well as political manoeuvring which have halted the legislation.
Once signed into law, Italy will join every major western European country in having some form of legal recognition for same-sex civil unions or marriages.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said the legislation was “historic”. Mr Renzi had backed the bill and pundits believe he would have had to resign had it failed.
Shortly after the bill passed, he tweeted “Love wins”.
It must be passed by the lower chamber of deputies although analysts say the senate presented the greater challenge.
The law will allow same-sex and heterosexual couples to enter civil unions that will give them legal rights similar to married couples.
In order to ensure the bill passed, Renzi removed a provision which would have given some parental rights to non-biological parents.
“Tonight many Italian citizens will feel less alone, more community. Hope has defeated fear. Courage has won over discrimination. Love has won,” he wrote in a statement on Facebook,” Renzi wrote on Facebook.
