Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos told Greek Parliament on Tuesday that the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZ) government plans to make good on its promise to extend civil partnership agreements to same-sex couples.

A draft bill changing civil partnership agreements online for public consultation had been posted last June. The agreement had been open for public consultation but was never sent to parliament. Though it allowed for union, it did not allow for adoption.

“Some issues concerning the rule of law and equality will be regulated, such as the new form of the civil partnership agreement that will recognize the marriage of homosexuals and heterosexuals,” said Paraskevopoulos during a discussion in Parliament.

Other measures to be adopted include rules to guarantee press freedom but to “secure citizens against tabloid journalism and discourage excessive compensation that could act as informal censorship of sorts.”

The government will also seek to extend anti-racism legislation by adding racist speech and acts and create a national action plan for racism and xenophobia.
Paraskevopoulos also pointed to the slow administration of justice and complications in the justice system.