Spanish senators reject gay bill (still expected to become law)

[IndianaGreen]

The Socialists control the Congress and they are busily removing the Cahtolic Church from its privileged position that it had enjoyed for far too long.

Last Updated: Thursday, 23 June, 2005, 02:44 GMT 03:44 UK

Spanish senators reject gay bill

Spain's Senate has rejected a bill on gay marriage but MPs are likely to make it law when it returns to the lower chamber of parliament next week.

The upper house voted 131 to 119 to throw out the bill, condemned by Spain's dominant Roman Catholic Church.

However, Congress has already backed the legislation and is expected to push it through next week.

Belgium and the Netherlands are the only EU states to have legalised gay marriage to date.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4118374.stm

[paineinthearse]

1. Someone explain Spain's houses

A bill can become law by passing the lower but not the higher house?

[Barak And Roll]

2. I believe

that a supermajority in the lower house can overrule the upper house's veto, much like how our Congress can override a veto by the president.

[LaReservaPr]

3. It seems that after 2 months Congress may pass the bill by majority

A Guide to the Spanish Legal System
http://www.llrx.com/features/spain.htm#process

3.2.2 Legislative Process

As stated in art. 87 SC legislative initiative belongs to:

*

Government. Government exercises the legislative power on behalf a bill (Proyecto de Ley). Bills are approved in the Council of Ministers (Consejo de Ministros) which shall submit them to the Congress accompanied with a exposition of motives and the antecedents (art. 88 SC). Once a bill has been approved by the Congress it will be delivered to the Senate that may, through a message explaining the reasons, veto (by an absolute majority) or introduce amendments into it. Congress may or may not accept the amendments. If not, congress must ratify the bill by an absolute majority or by simply majority once two months have passed since the presentation of the text. Congress may also accept or not the amendments expressing itself whether or not if it accept them by a simple majority (art. 90 SC)

[Barak And Roll]

4. Thanks for the specifics! (n/t)