Referring to ECHR's decision on Romania's obligation to recognise same-sex civil unions, President Klaus Iohannis called the topic "a complicated issue for Romania", which the Parliament has to deal with, G4media.ro reported.

Previously, the head of the Orthodox Church said in no way Romania should follow the recommendations – along with the rhetoric expressed by radical groups such as the AUR party.

Romania must legalise same-sex civil unions, Europe's top rights court ruled on May 23.

Twenty-one same-sex couples took Romania to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing the lack of legal recognition of their relationships "deprived them of their dignity as spouses". The Romanian couples cited the disadvantages faced under current domestic laws, such as being barred from mortgage programmes, spousal bereavement leave or joint health insurance.

The bill concerning civil unions has stalled in Romania's Parliament since 2019. 

iulian@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Andreea Constantinescu | Dreamstime.com)