Montenegro narrowly voted to legalise same-sex civil partnerships on Wednesday 1 July becoming the first country in the region that is not a member of the European Union to recognise gay and lesbian couples in law.

The Parliament passed the law by very narrow majority with the support of the Liberal Party (LPCG), ALDE Party member party in Montenegro, and MPs from the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, the Social Democrats, the Liberal Party and the opposition Social Democratic Party.

The law received 42 votes in favour in the 81-seat parliament.

The law recognises same-sex couples as legal unions but does not give them the same rights as married couples. It was previously rejected by parliament a year ago, but will now come into force next year.

After voting in favour of the law, Andrija Popović, MP and leader of the LPCG, sent his congratulations and expressed his support for the adoption of the law. “Liberals have never compromised our fundamental political beliefs, even when it was not politically useful in a conservative society. Everyone must have the right to a dignified life in Montenegro,” he said.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=978423862605204

He noted the leadership of the Liberal Party strongly supported Montenegro Pride from the first day and only liberal leaders were present on high level on every Pride event. 

The passage of the vote was emphatically welcomed by Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic who stressed that EU candidate state Montenegro was affirming its “European values”. 

🇲🇪 is one step closer to joining the most developed world democracies! By adopting the Law on Same Sex Life Partnership, 🇲🇪 is for the first time regulating the legal rights of same-sex couples! #LGBT@UNHumanRights@EURightsAgency@ILGAEurope

— Milo Đukanović (@predsjednik_cg) July 1, 2020