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From Monsters and Critics.com Europe News Vienna - In an attempt to end years of political dispute Austria's Social Democrat Justice Minister Maria Berger Wednesday introduced a first draft for a law granting gay couples the same rights as heterosexuals. The so-called registered partnership shows a number of parallels with traditional marriage law, complete with similar rights and duties, but was no 'marriage light' Berger stressed and was independent of current marriage legislation. A right for adoption is not envisaged, separation can be either by mutual consent or court decision. Until entering a coalition with the country's Social Democrats earlier this year, Austria's conservative People's Party categorically refused to grant equal rights to gay couples. Berger's draft will be discussed by a bipartisan working group before being introduced to parliament by the end of this year. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur© Copyright 2007 by monstersandcritics.com. This notice cannot be removed without permission. |