In a long-awaited step forward for LGBTIQ+ rights in Greece, legislation was passed earlier this week allowing same-sex couples to foster children.
The legislation was passed by 161 votes to 103.
According to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, of the left-wing party Syriza, said: “Fostering provides for the return of the child to its natural parents, who must retain contact with the child during its fostering time."
He added: “It would not be an exaggeration to say that fostering is an act of altruism, solidarity, and service of those who choose it."
It's not the first time Prime Minister Tsipras has welcomed progress for members of the LGBTIQ+ community.
In 2015 he made an historic apology to the community during a speech which signified legal recognition for same-sex couples across the country.
“With the legalisation of civil partnership for same-sex couples, a cycle of backwardness and shame for the Greek state is closing," he said at the time.
He continued: “[It is one] of denial and marginalisation of a large part of our fellow citizens, who were not allowed to live together with their partner and enjoying basic rights and which led the Greece to convictions by the European Court of Human Rights.”
Despite this week's reform, Greek same-sex couples are still unable to get married or adopt children.
