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A8 WORLD NEWS
Saturday 1 July 2017

Germany legalizes same-sex marriage after Merkel U-turn

By DAVID RISING Brandt, standing alongside
Associated Press her partner and their son.
BERLIN (AP) — German law- “We are happy and proud
makers voted Friday to le- that we are now equal and
galize same-sex marriage, we can live our love.”
a move widely supported After years of lukewarm op-
across the country that position to gay marriage
brings Germany in line with following her party’s line,
many of its Western peers. Merkel said Monday that
Chancellor Angela Merkel lawmakers could take up
voted against the mea- the issue as a question of
sure, but paved the way “conscience,” allowing
for its passage by allowing members of her conserva-
members of her conserva- tive coalition to individually
tive party to vote accord- vote for it if they wanted.
ing to their conscience. That prompted her center-
Lawmakers voted 393-226 left rivals to call for a quick
to legalize “marriage for vote on the issue, adding
everybody,” with four ab- it to the agenda Friday on
stentions. Underlining the parliament’s last regular
delicate political tightrope session before Germany’s
that Merkel walked, the Sept. 24 national election.
“no” votes came entirely Berlin Christian Democrat
from her conservative bloc, Jan-Marco Luczak, one of
although some prominent 75 lawmakers from Merkel’s
party members, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center, gestures as a lawmaker raising a “No”-polling card bloc who voted for the
during a meeting of the German Federal Parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building on
Defense Minister Ursula von same-sex marriage in Berlin, Germany, Friday, June 30, 2017. measure, urged his fellow
der Leyen and her chief of (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) party members to join him.
staff Peter Altmaier, voted and was showered with Gay couples outside the signs saying “Marriage for “It would be absurd to try
for it. “This is a historic day,” confetti by supporters. chancellery, not far from everybody.” and protect marriage by
said Greens lawmaker “It is really an amazing vic- parliament, kissed and “We’ve been happily mar- preventing people to mar-
Volker Beck, who leapt to tory,” said Beck, who has hugged after the decision ried for eight years, but we ry,” he told lawmakers in
his feet to applaud once campaigned around Eu- was announced, waving could never call it that,” the debate ahead of the
the result was announced rope for gay rights. rainbow flags and carrying said 38-year-old Shoshana vote.q

French far-right leader charged with alleged EU funds misuse

By ELAINE GANLEY the far-right National Front right National Front par- pean deputy.” The preliminary charges
Associated Press party. ty. Griset was charged in Le Pen plans to file an ur- are thrown out if investiga-
PARIS (AP) — French far- The prosecutor’s office said February for allegedly re- gent demand Monday at tors fail to come up with
right leader Marine Le Pen Le Pen was summoned ceiving money through a the Appeals Court asking convincing evidence.
was charged Friday with al- and handed preliminary breach of trust. that the preliminary charg- The case goes to trial if
legedly misusing European charges of breach of trust Le Pen is also charged with es be annulled due to “the they do. A conviction for
Parliament funds to pay and complicity in breach complicity in breach of violation of the principle of breach of trust charge car-
two parliamentary aides of trust concerning two trust in connection with her separation of powers,” her ries a potential penalty of
who also work at her Na- parliamentary aides when role as president of the Na- lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, up to three years in prison
tional Front headquarters. she served at the European tional Front from 2014-2016. said in a statement. She will and a fine of 375,000 euros
Her lawyer said she denies Parliament. That charge could not im- also seek a suspension of ($428,000).
the charges and will fight Le Pen is suspected of using mediately be clarified. the investigation. Le Pen had twice refused
to get the investigation sus- parliamentary funds to pay Le Pen denies the charges. His reference to “separa- summonses from authori-
pended. Catherine Griset from 2009 “It makes no sense,” Na- tion of powers” may re- ties while campaigning, first
Investigators suspect some to 2016 and bodyguard tional Front vice president late to a contention that for the French presidential
National Front lawmakers Thierry Legier from 2014 to Florian Philippot, Le Pen’s the French justice system election which she lost May
used legislative aides for 2016 for allegedly work- top lieutenant, said on the should not interfere in the 7 to Emmanuel Macron,
the party’s political activi- ing as aides in Strasbourg, BFM-TV station. “She is ob- affairs of political parties. then for a lawmaker’s seat
ties while they were on the seat of the European Par- viously 24 hours out of 24 Bosselut could not immedi- in the French National As-
European Parliament pay- liament, even though they both the president of the ately be reached for com- sembly which she won on
roll. Le Pen is president of also have roles in her far- National Front and a Euro- ment. June 18. q