With 173 votes in favor and 171 against, the Senate voted to trust the government in the maxi-amendment of the Democratic Party which modifies the Cirinnà bill.
As announced, article 5 on stepchild adoption is definitively removed from the text. According to what was announced by the leader of the Democratic Party Luigi Zanda at Palazzo Madama, the issue will be dealt with individually through a specific bill that Parliament will approve by the "end of this legislature."
Until that moment, the decision will be up to the judges who will evaluate what to do on a case-by-case basis. The new text provides that "without prejudice to what is foreseen and permitted in the matter of adoption by the regulations in force", thus eliminating the danger that the Courts find themselves having their hands tied due to limits imposed by the legislation.
The maxi-amendment, the result of a Majority agreement with the Ncd, also cancels the obligation of loyalty envisaged by article 3 of the text on civil unions, maintaining the obligation of moral, material and cohabitation assistance. The change, according to the Ncd, was necessary to avoid any type of equivalence between marriage and civil union.
For the latter, a quick divorce is also foreseen. Three months after the declaration made before the registrar, it will therefore be possible to start the procedure.
