Vienna - In an attempt to end years of political dispute Austria's Social Democrat Justice Minister Maria Berger Wednesday introduced a first draft for a law granting gay couples the same rights as heterosexuals. The so-called registered partnership shows a number of parallels with traditional marriage law, complete with similar rights and duties, but was no "marriage light" Berger stressed and was independent of current marriage legislation.
A right for adoption is not envisaged, separation can be either by mutual consent or court decision.
Until entering a coalition with the country's Social Democrats earlier this year, Austria's conservative People's Party categorically refused to grant equal rights to gay couples.
Berger's draft will be discussed by a bipartisan working group before being introduced to parliament by the end of this year.
