Lawmakers pressured by LGBT groups as well as by church organisations opposed to the move approved most of a government-sponsored bill.
An overwhelming majority in Cuba said yes to a constitution that brought new regulations while declaring the socialist system "irrevocable.”
With Wednesday's vote, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat fulfils campaign promise to make this the first law brought before parliament during his second term. The law replaces gendered terms with spouse, birth parent and parent who did not give birth.
The parliament voted by 393 to 226 votes in favour of same-sex marriage. Many other European countries, including France, Britain and Spain, have already legalised same-sex marriage.
The nation's parliament passed a draft of a marriage equality bill on Monday. Opponents of the legislative change protested against the bill and called for a referendum.
Opposition Labor Party refuses to support a public vote on gay marriage which it argues should be passed by the parliament without further delay. However, the government has no plans to legislate on the issue without a referendum.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for all latest in-depth, on the ground reporting from around the world.
Copyright © 2019 TRT World.
Like
Follow