Switzerland today (Sunday) approved same-sex marriage in a referendum held in all parts of the federation.
According to preliminary samples, 64 percent of voters supported a proud marriage while 34 percent opposed.
The national parliament in Bern supported the move and throughout the period of preparations for the referendum the polls indicated stable public support over the country, which is considered one of the most conservative in Western Europe.
This is a complementary step to the recognition by the Swiss parliament of civil union for same-sex couples in the country that took place in 2007. Proponents of same-sex marriage argue that the new law is intended to place same-sex couples in the same legal status as heterosexual couples.
It was further argued that the new legislation would allow lesbian couples to apply for sperm donation under conditions similar to those of heterosexual couples and would end long-standing discrimination in this area.
The campaign to oppose the move focused mainly on preserving the term marriage and the traditional family and is led primarily by both Protestant and Catholic religious groups.
Switzerland is historically considered one of the most conservative countries in Europe and only officially allowed women to vote in 1990.
