BREAKING: Italy’s Civil Unions Bill Wins Final Passage

The Local reports:

The Italian government finally approved a bill to allow gay civil unions, after a long and bitter debate that has pitted the Catholic Church against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

In order to speed up the bill’s passage, Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, called a confidence vote in Italy’s lower house on Wednesday saying it was “unacceptable to have any more delays after years of failed attempts.”

Renzi’s cabinet survived confidence vote with 369 voting in favour of the bill compared to 193 against. Earlier on Wednesday, knowing that a majority in the confidence vote was almost certain, Renzi declared that it was “a day of celebration for those who finally feel recognized.”

Reuters points out that Renzi would have had to resign if the bill failed. (Tipped by JMG reader Andrea)