TALLINN, October 9 (RIA Novosti) - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves has signed a bill on cohabitation which includes same-sex couples into law, noting that the Constitution requires equal treatment of all residents of the country, the president's office reported Thursday.
"Estonian society cannot survive if it is intolerant toward its own countrymen. We are too few to discriminate against any of us. Societies that respect human rights allow same-sex couples to have a family without being exposed to public disapproval and unequal treatment," the president said.
Earlier, the Estonian parliament adopted in the third reading of the bill on cohabitation, including same-sex couples, which caused a negative reaction in the majority of the population. Some 40 MPs voted for and 38 MPs against, while 10 abstained. The highest legislative body of the country consists of 101 members. The law will come into force on January 1, 2016.
On Tuesday, the Estonian conservative Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) proposed a bill on holding a referendum on cohabitation on March 1, 2015 – the day of the country's next parliamentary elections. The Estonian parliament then rejected a proposal to hold the referendum.
Last week, Estonia's TNS Emor research company published the results of a recent poll, revealing that 67 percent of Estonians are against the state recognition of the same-sex marriages.
On Sunday, those standing for the protection of family values and against the law on cohabitation held a large rally in Estonian capital of Tallinn.
