Politics · Germany · 4 hrs ago
Merkel says she would now vote for same-sex marriage in Germany
Angela Merkel says she would now vote for same-sex marriage in Germany, nearly a decade after voting against it in 2017.
She made the statement on the podcast “Kaffee und Fluchen.”
In 2017, Merkel let lawmakers vote freely but voted no herself, calling it a matter of conscience.
Parliament passed the law, and same-sex couples could marry from 1 October 2017.
The change gave them the same marriage rights and duties as heterosexual couples, including the right to adopt children together.
Merkel said she had concerns at the time about surrogacy and children, and had already questioned her decision in her autobiography.
Her change of view comes after decades of campaigning by gay men and lesbians for equal marriage rights.
Angela Merkel says she would now vote in favour of same-sex marriage in Germany.
The former chancellor made the comment in the podcast “Kaffee und Fluchen,” nearly a decade after voting against the measure in 2017.
Merkel said she had concerns at the time, including questions about surrogacy and children.
In 2017, she allowed a free vote in parliament, and same-sex marriage became law with support from some members of her own political camp.
Same-sex couples in Germany have been able to marry under the law since 1 October 2017.
- Who
- Angela Merkel, Germany’s former chancellor.
- What
- She said she would now vote in favour of same-sex marriage, although she voted against it in 2017.
- When
- 13 November 2026.
- Where
- Germany; Merkel made the statement in the podcast “Kaffee und Fluchen.
- Why
- She said she had various concerns at the time, including questions about surrogacy and children. She also said a free vote in parliament was important to her.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Merkel allowed a free vote in parliament on same-sex marriage but voted against it.
Same-sex couples became able to marry in Germany under the law.
Merkel said in the podcast “Kaffee und Fluchen” that she would now vote in favour.
- Former chancellor
- Angela Merkel
- Podcast
- Kaffee und Fluchen
- Earlier vote
- Merkel voted against same-sex marriage in 2017
- Marriage law
- Took effect on 1 October 2017
- Current position
- Merkel says she would now vote in favour
4 sources
„Würde heute dafür stimmen“ - Erst Nein, heute Ja! Merkels Wende bei der Ehe für alle
"Gewissensentscheidung" in 2017: Altkanzlerin Merkel bereut ihr früheres Nein zur Ehe für alle
"Hatte damals verschiedenste Sorgen": Merkel äußert sich zur Ehe für alle
What people are saying
I would vote for it today, yes.
I had various concerns at the time.