Lower house debating bill on same-sex marriage

The Czech lower house has returned to a debate on same-sex marriage. The proposed draft agreement has raised controversy and in a previous debate the authors of the bill expressed readiness to make a concession and to call the same-sex union a “partnership” instead of “marriage”. However, they insist that same-sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual married couples. Under the law, registered couples do not have joint property and are not entitled to a widow's or widower's pension after the loss of their partner. Registered couples are also not allowed to adopt children.