Slovenian citizens cast vote on gay marriage

Citizens across Slovenia are voting in a national referendum that shall determine if marriage equality legislation is to remain in the Eastern European country.

Passed by the Slovenian Parliament back in March, marriage was legally redefined as “a union of two” and replaced the previous definition of marriage as “a union of a man and a woman”, reports DW.

The public vote was sparked following mounting pressure mounted from conservative group Children are At Stake, who gathered over 80,000 signatures with the support of the Catholic Church.

An earlier referendum on marriage equality was defeated by public vote in 2012.

If upheld, Slovenia would become the first of the former communist nations across Eastern and Central Europe to legally recognise gay-marriage, and stand alongside the 10 Western European nations including Spain and France who already do so.

But if defeated, the law would be reversed back to recognise civil partnerships and prohibit the adoption of children.

Human Rights Watch said the Slovenian Parliament tried to stop the current referendum, arguing “the law protects fundamental rights, and that article 90 of the constitution specifically protects laws relating to fundamental rights from referendum challenges”.

But Slovenia’s Constitutional Court found parliament could not block the referendum and has allowed it to take place.

Both the Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Prime Minister Miro Cerar have indicated their support for a “yes” vote.

Retired resident Vojoko told AFP he supported marriage equality and the referendum was unnecessary. “This is throwing money away,” he said.

“Of course I’m for it, but if it turns out to be a ‘no,’ the world will laugh at us.”

DW reported a preliminary vote on Friday December 19 found 55.5% of voters backed a “no” vote, with 46% of citizens predicted to attend poling booths.

In order for referendum result to be legally binding, at least 20% of 1.7 million registered voters need to participate.