German gay marriage vote given green light by Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel has opened the way for gay marriage to be legalised in Germany after she called for a free vote in parliament on the issue.

The surprise announcement represents a major U-turn for the German chancellor, who has previously opposed gay marriage, citing concerns for children.

A vote could now be held as soon as next week. A majority of MPs are believed to be in favour of legalisation.

Mrs Merkel described her change of heart in terms of a Damascene conversion. She spoke of a “life-changing experience” when she met a lesbian couple in her parliamentary constituency who have adopted eight children.

But sceptics suggested the timing may also have something to do with the coming German elections in September. Mrs Merkel’s chief rivals, the Social Democrats (SPD) have pledged to legalise gay marriage, and opinion polls show more than 80 per cent of Germans are in favour.

While civil partnerships have been available to homosexual couples in Germany since 2001, gay marriages are not recognised by the state.

Opposition from the conservative wing of Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrat party (CDU) has been the main roadblock to legalisation.

The chancellor chose the unlikely venue of a live event hosted by the women’s magazine Brigitte on Monday night to announce what amounted to a small political bombshell.

“I want to change the discussion to a decision of conscience, rather than something I can direct with a whipped vote,” she said.

“If the state gives a homosexual couple children to take care of, I can no longer argue this issue simply on the question of child welfare. These are issues that greatly concern me.”

At the same time she called for “respect for those for whom it is hard to make such a decision”.

Mrs Merkel’s move wrongfooted the SPD, who have made a pledge to legalise gay marriage a central plank of their election manifesto.

Martin Schulz, the SPD leader and Mrs Merkel’s main challenger, tried to regain the initiative by calling for a vote before the end of the current parliament.

“Angela Merkel made a move yesterday and we are taking her at her word,” he said. “The change of heart should be acted on this week.”

There is thought to be a majority of MPs in favour of legalisation in a free vote in the current parliament.

But the CDU downplayed the chances of a swift vote, with the whips’ office saying there was “no need for a rushed decision”.

Mrs Merkel’s move risks upsetting the right-wing of her own party, and in particular its deeply conservative Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union.

With the CDU currently 16 points ahead of the SPD, the opinion polls suggest she has little to fear from Mr Schulz.

But government polls have found considerable public support for gay marriage, and Mrs Merkel’s preferred coalition partners, the Free Democrats, have also pledged to legalise it.