Same-sex marriage reveals cracks in Sarkozy party

French lawmakers were for the first time debating a bill in June 2011 to legalise homosexual marriage. Though the bill was expected to fail, the controversial issue could come to haunt the ruling UMP party in the 2012 presidential race with the party and its supports divided on the issue.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Gay couples should enjoy equal pension rights, says EU court http://www.europeansources.info/record/gay-couples-should-enjoy-equal-pension-rights-says-eu-court/

ESO: Background information: Call for civil partnership recognition across Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/call-for-civil-partnership-recognition-across-europe/

Wikipedia: Same-sex marriage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage

Wikipedia: Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Europe

Wikipedia: LGBT rights in Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Europe

Deutsche Welle, 31.3.11: Gay marriage in Europe http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6489447,00.html

Deutsche Welle, 28.1.11: France upholds ban on homosexual marriage http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14801722,00.html

ESO: Background information: French gay marriage ban ‘not unconstitutional’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-gay-marriage-ban-not-unconstitutional/

France24, 14.6.11: French parliament rejects same-sex marriage bill http://www.france24.com/en/20110614-french-parliament-rejects-gay-marriage-bill-homosexuality

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