The Swedish parliament has passed a new, gender-neutral marriage law by a huge margin. Radio Sweden reports that
in a free vote in parliament 261 MPs voted in favour of the reform, 22 voted no, while 16 abstained
Sweden has had civil unions for same-sex couples since 1995. People who currently live in civil unions can either keep their status or change it into a marriage if they choose.
The new law has the backing of most Swedes:
A poll for the Sifo Institute published in January 2008 found that 71 per cent of Swedes think gay people should be allowed to marry.