Partnership – only between a man and a woman? Or maybe two men or two women would have the opportunity to legitimize their relationship? The opinions of Lithuanian residents continue to differ on this.
“I understand about all kinds of legal issues, this is a fact here, it should be done. But I also understand that there are probably other ways, not necessarily through partnership,” said the woman interviewed in Vilnius.
Another interviewee said that she is tolerant of different types of relationships.
“It does not bother me. Each person is responsible for himself,” said the woman.
Another interviewee was skeptical.
“God created man and woman to continue the family. If so, then who will get it? The world will split in half,” said the man.
They are trying to solve the problem through the Constitutional Court
The views of politicians also differ. From the very beginning, the Freedom Party tried to legalize the partnership in the Parliament, but failed to convince the majority of the Seimas.
“It would eventually lead to same-sex marriages with the resulting consequences. We have that practice in other European countries”, said the vice-chairman of the Seimas, conservative Paulius Saudargas.
The Ministry of Justice has started searching for ways to avoid a Seimas unfavorable to the partnership, and plans to apply to the Constitutional Court. Allegedly, he should clarify whether the absence of a partnership institute does not contradict the Basic State Law.
“There are two issues of compliance with the Constitution. First of all, the Civil Code provides for a partnership between a man and a woman only. The question is whether this does not contradict the Constitution. Especially from what we see from the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the member state, that is Lithuania, must provide some alternative for same-sex couples”, said E. Dobrowolska.
At that time, the Vice-Chairman of the Seimas, P. Saudargas, understood this ECtHR decision in the way that it does not indicate that this issue should be resolved through marriage or partnership.
Without political will, there will be no solutions
Defenders of equal rights claim that applying to the Constitutional Court would be a step forward. But nothing will happen without political will.
“It is not the Constitutional Court that raises its hands in the Seimas. Politicians should take responsibility, and politicians should raise their hands in the Seimas, and finally pass that law,” said Jūratė Juškaitė, head of the Human Rights Center.
“Now, out of the helplessness that no decision is taken at all, the Constitutional Court is approached both regarding the Istanbul Convention and now – a new appeal. Maybe let’s spare the Constitutional Court, and if there is no political will, let’s say so openly”, said G. Nausėda.
In order to apply to the Constitutional Court, the Ministry of Justice will first of all need the approval of the entire Government. If there is support in the Government, the issue will eventually go to the Seimas again.
The Minister of Justice is convinced that parliamentarians have no other option but to accept the partnership.
“The sooner all members of the Seimas understand that Lithuania must adopt the partnership institute in order to be able to define in what way partners can register their relationships, in what way they can defend their relationships and obligations, when there are also property issues and others, the sooner we will be able to discuss this topic to solve”, said E. Dobrawolska.
The differences in the Seimas have not disappeared
However, Seimas skeptics see other alternatives.
“A cohabitation agreement, a close relationship, would solve the problems of dating, health, representation, property issues, and all other legal issues would be settled. But colleagues need something completely different. They need an institute comparable to family and marriage”, said P. Saudargas.
Equal rights advocates scold politicians. It is time to end the political battles and consider the people.
“The Civil Union Law should be fixed in general, which currently, it seems to me, does not meet the needs of the LGBT community or people of different genders who are in partnership, and we should vote for a law that is fair and adequate for everyone,” said J. Juškaitė .
Currently, the draft resolution is submitted for public consultation. After that, it should be considered by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Tags: idea partnership
