イタリア：プロディ首相が辞表提出、中道左派連合崩壊・DICO法案は廃案へ

Italian Gov't Falls - Gay Unions Bill Appears Dead
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: February 21, 2007 - 3:00 pm ET

(Rome) The teetering government of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi (pictured) fell Wednesday likely spelling doom for legislation that would create civil partnerships for same-sex couples.

President Giorgio Napolitano accepted Prodi's resignation as Prime Minister after the government lost a key vote in the Senate on foreign policy, including Italy‘s military mission in Afghanistan.

The vote did not constitute a non confidence motion but earlier Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said that the government should resign if it did not win the foreign policy vote.

Napolitano will hold talks with party leaders on Thursday to discuss a way out. He could could order a general election, ask Prodi to form a new government or negotiate a deal for a new coalition government.

Under parliamentary ruled legislation not enacted dies when the government falls. The only thing that could save the civil partnership bill might be if Prodi were to form a new government.

Prodi's fragile left-of-center coalition cabinet approved the bill earlier this month in a stormy special meeting (story) and it was expected to be introduced in the Lower House in the next few weeks.

A weak coalition of nine small parties, Prodi' government had been grappling with civil partnerships for moths. Communists on the the far left of the coalition have been pressing for full marriage. The tiny UDEUR Party is opposed to any legislation.

Several UDEUR members have said that when the bill comes before Parliament they will vote against the bill even if it brings down the government.

The civil partnership legislation would allow same-sex couples to sign a civil registry and then share pensions, health insurance, enter into contracts, and permit them to be considered the same as married couples for public housing.

The opposition right of center coalition, led by Silvio Berlusconi and aligned with the Vatican, already has said it would vote against the civil unions bill.

The Roman Catholic Church has been engaged in an all-out assault on the legislation.

Prodi has been a supporter of moderate rights for same-sex couples since 2005 when he met with gay activists, but he opposes gay marriage. (story)

Five LGBT candidates were elected to the Italian parliament last year - all members of the center-left - including the first transsexual to win national election in Italy. (story)