Photo: AFP
A clear majority of German MPs have voted to legalise same-sex marriage, days after Chancellor Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to a vote, the BBC reports.
The reform gives gay men and lesbians full marital rights, and allows them to adopt children.
At present, same-sex couples are limited to civil unions.
Mrs Merkel’s political opponents were strongly in favour. But Mrs Merkel, who gave MPs the go-ahead for a free vote only on Monday, voted against.
The measure was backed by 393 lawmakers, while 226 voted against and four abstained.
