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| 'De-Russification will be followed by LGBTization.' Latvia legalizes gay marriage |
| 2023-11-22 |
| Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. By Victor Lavrinenko [REGNUM] The Latvian Seimas, by a minimal margin of votes, adopted in the final reading the law introducing the institution of “civil partnerships” in the country. This streamlined definition hides gay marriages, the recognition of which has long been sought by Latvian liberals, working on the directives of their Western “partners.” But radical Latvian nationalists resolutely rebelled against this innovation. For and against Attempts to legalize gay marriage in one form or another have taken place in Latvia for many years. Supporters of “tolerance” argue that this is the “necessary minimum” that will allow the Republic of Latvia not to look completely “backward” compared to most EU countries. In recent years, the recognition of same-sex marriages has been insisted upon, in particular, by Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (representative of the New Unity party, who headed the government from the beginning of 2019 to August 2023) and state President Egils Levits (held office from July 2019- th to July 2023). These two people from abroad (Kariņš came to Latvia from the USA, and Levits from Germany) pushed through “tolerance” simultaneously with the destruction of the local Russian community - pushing for Russian-language education, demolishing monuments to Soviet soldiers, and repressing opposition activists. The National Bloc, a party of radical Latvian nationalists that was part of the ruling coalition, warmly approved of the suppression of local Russians, but fiercely opposed Karins and Levits regarding gay marriage, time after time disrupting their legislative recognition. The population of Latvia, which, according to surveys conducted over and over again, was very “homophobic,” also for the most part did not approve of attempts to destroy the traditional family. This summer, Levits ceded the presidency to former Foreign Minister Edgar Rinkevich , an openly gay man who is, naturally, an ardent supporter of the recognition of any and all “rights” of his fellow homosexuals. Liberals greeted his election with enthusiasm. On the air of Latvian Radio, board member of the local LGBT organization Mozaīka Kaspars Zalitis said that, in his opinion, Levits failed to work sufficiently to “unite the people” and reduce the number of “hate crimes” against gays, but under Rinkevich's rule, the situation should finally improve. Attempt No. 9 Latvian opposition journalist Aleksey Stefanov noted sarcastically : “It cannot be said that the situation with homophobia in Latvia is terrible. Even compared to their neighbors, homosexuals are treated better in Latvia than in Lithuania or Poland. And under the strict leadership of the first homosexual president, tolerance towards LGBT people in Latvia can increase significantly. At least Rinkevich will make every effort to achieve this. Therefore, after the de-Russification of Latvia, its LGBTization will follow...” And indeed, the process, as they say, has begun. In August 2023, the composition of the ruling coalition in the Latvian parliament changed. In particular, the National Bloc left it, announcing insurmountable differences with the prime minister’s New Unity party, but the Progressive party entered. This party was once organized by politician Robert Putnis , a very remarkable personality. At one time, Putnis headed the NGO Society for Openness Delna, which worked closely with George Soros's Open Society Foundation (an undesirable organization). And Putnis is an openly gay man, who registered his marriage with his “husband” in Germany four years ago. The new government, headed by New Unity member Evika Silina , identified “ legal recognition of partnership relations ” as one of its priorities. A bill introducing a new way of legally establishing relations between two adults – “partnership” – has again been submitted to the Sejm for consideration. What it is? Same-sex couples, in particular, will be able to enter into partnerships. People bonded by this type of relationship will receive, for example, the right to make decisions regarding the treatment of the “partner” (if he is not able to take care of himself or freely express his will), will be able to count on accrued payments to the “partner”, but not paid until upon his death, the amount of the pension, as well as tax benefits in relation to mutual gifts and loans, will be able to be inherited by the “partner”, etc. The new head of the Latvian Ministry of Justice Inese Libiņa-Egnere (New Unity) recalls that over 24 years in Latvia there have already been 8 unsuccessful attempts to legalize gay marriages. But every time the parliamentary majority thwarted these attempts - conservative deputies reminded opponents of the constitution, which clearly states that only spouses of different sexes can be married. But now, after the parliamentary elections of 2022, the ratio of conditional “homophobes” and “homophiles” in the Seimas has shifted towards the latter. “ I hope that this time, for the ninth time in twenty-four years, this issue will be resolved ,” Libiņa-Egnere said on Latvian television. And it must be said that many years of brainwashing, coupled with the natural process of generational change, began to bear fruit. This year, a new survey was conducted - residents of Latvia aged 18 to 65 expressed their opinion on the creation of the institution of “civil partnership”. Two-fifths (43%) of the residents surveyed said that they assess the possible introduction of partnership relations positively (23% - positively, 20% - somewhat positively). But approximately the same number of respondents (42%) expressed a negative attitude (12% - somewhat negative; 30% - negative). 15% of respondents were unable to express any specific attitude towards this legislative initiative. The Last Bastion The final legal recognition of same-sex marriage became possible thanks to a change in the position of the previously conservative Green and Peasant Union. Previously, New Unity (26 deputies) and Progressive (10 parliamentarians) did not have enough votes in parliament to pass the bill. But 16 deputies from the North-West Congress gave supporters of gay marriage the simple majority they needed (there are a hundred seats in the Seimas) necessary to approve the law on “partnerships.” The opposition in parliament, however, did not lay down its arms. Opponents of the recognition of gay partnerships point to both the “destruction of morality” and the fact that, according to the latest data, the demographic situation in Latvia is the worst in a hundred years. The opposition parties “Joint List”, National Bloc and “Latvia First” stated that they intend to demand that the issue of gay marriage be moved to a national referendum, and collected thirty-four parliamentary signatures under the corresponding appeal. The opposition decided to invoke Article 72 of the Latvian Constitution, which allows the entry into force of the new law to be suspended for two months. If during this time 10% (155 thousand) of voters sign the initiative to convene a referendum on the issue of “partnerships,” then a nationwide vote will be organized. If the required number of signatures cannot be collected within the specified period, the law comes into force. The letter, signed by thirty-four parliamentarians, landed on President Rinkevich’s desk. And he, gnashing his teeth, was forced to suspend for two months the amendments providing for the introduction of the institution of partnership, adopted on November 9 by a simple majority of the Seimas. The time will soon come to collect signatures for holding a referendum - according to the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the state, it will be held from December 7 to January 5. It will be possible to subscribe at special sites that each local government will organize on its territory until December 4. Information about these places will be posted on the CEC website. It is possible that this time, with joint efforts, the attack of “non-traditionalists” in Latvia will be repelled. But it is true, just like the fact that the sun rises in the east, that LGBT supporters will not rest on this. Some time will pass, most likely very little, and they will again try to achieve their goal - not by washing, but by rolling. Or maybe LGBT will win here and now. The population of Latvia is gripped by social apathy, and it is quite possible that people are simply too lazy to come and sign up. The entire life experience of Latvians shows that public protests are useless - the authorities will ultimately push through the decision that is desired by their superiors... |
| Posted by:badanov |
| #1 |
| Posted by: Cholutle Thrans9751 2023-11-22 13:43 |