Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili describes the Venice Commission’s Opinion on the draft constitutional law on Protecting Family Values and Minors as “contradicting Georgian society’s aspirations.”

According to Papuashvili, while Georgians want a marriage to be a union of a man and a woman, the Venice Commission recommends the Georgian government modify the draft constitutional law in a way that allows for the legal recognition of same-sex couples.

“It is regrettable that we hear assessments contradicting Georgian society’s aspirations, including insuring risks on the prohibition of propaganda. It is an opposite recommendation that means not only promotion of propaganda but legalization of issues, which we wanted to prohibit,” he said.

The Speaker noted that public discussions in the regions demonstrated that locals support the definition of marriage as in the Constitution.

“Today, we openly see that we are called for the legal recognition of same-sex couples. It is a gradual attempt that such issues are slipped in and be reconciled with. Therefore, a prompt reaction is required,” he said.

The Venice Commission published its Opinion on the draft constitutional law on Protecting Family Values and Minors adopted at its 139th Plenary Session on June 21-22.

The Venice Commission recommends the Georgian government modify the draft constitutional law in a way that allows for the legal recognition of same-sex couples.