While the main opposition Socialist Party voted almost entirely in favour of the measures proposed, in conjunction with the Communist Party, Left Bloc and the Greens, they were defeated by the coalition government members of the Christian Democrats and especially the majority Social Democrat Party, despite the latter allowing its MPs a free vote on the issue.
The first of four proposals on gay adoption related issues proposed by the Left Blocincluding the provision of medically assisted procreation measures, saw 120 votes against, with 90 in favour and ten abstentions.
That meant of the main governing party, the Social Democrats, six abstained and six voted in favour, denying the kind of support the kind of support that would be needed to vote the proposal through.
There was a similar outcome in all four votes with the margin of difference shifting only by a couple of votes either way.
For example, the Socialist Party’s own motion to eliminate discrimination in the adoption field saw 119 votes against, ten abstentions and 91 votes for.
Meanwhile, the gay rights non-governmental organisation ILGA took the glass-half-full view and deemed the very voting on such issues was “an announced victory” with the “situation soon to be resolved.”
ILGA spokesperson, Paulo Côrte-Real explained that parliament voting on the issue made it clear that “at this time, there are no excuses and it is clear this discrimination will have to come to an end as it is a disgrace” and “existing since 2001 when the law approving de facto unions got passed.”
The spokesperson said that there had already been substantial changes with the Socialist Party and Communist Party taking a stance on the issue, before adding “we have no doubts that equality is on its way and shall arrive and stay.”