Greece opens up to the possibility of egalitarian marriage.

Whereas Italy remains the tail end of the LGBTQIA+ rights league table, on 4 July, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Greece’s willingness to definitively accept equal marriage. This positive news came a few days after Estonia also obtained the green light, thus further relegating Italy to the list of countries that have not yet legitimised this institution.

“Egalitarian marriage will happen at some point, it is part of our strategy,” the premier said in an interview with Bloomberg. “Greek society today is much more ready and mature”.

Mitsotakis, who was recently, and confidently reelected in the general elections at the end of June, is a real example to emulate to other countries. Belonging to the centre-right, liberal conservative party, he has already set up a national committee (2021) to work on improving the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in the country.

Greece, it cannot be denied, has indeed made huge strides over time in improving the lives – and rights – of members of the rainbow community. Just think of the approval of civil unions in 2015, so much so that it was placed by ILGA in 13th place in its Rainbow Index, the world ranking on the quality of LGBTQIA+ life in different countries. To reiterate the point, we must sadly confirm that Italy occupies thirty-third place in the ranking, and should take some much needed inspiration from its Greek cousins – presently, and moving forwards.