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In a TV speech to the Portuguese nation yesterday, President Cavaco Silva announced he is to ratify a law authorising gay marriage. “He was uncomfortable, critical, and thinking about the financial crisis”, leads Lisbon daily Público. The president confessed that in saying “Yes” he was setting aside personal convictions, wishing to avoid any more problems “regarding the dramatic situation which the country faces”. Reminding viewers that after the heated debate of 11 February, the Portuguese parliament had passed the law authorising civil partnerships for same-sex couples, the President regretted “the lack of political will to reach a party consensus about a matter as sensitive as this one, which could have prevented unnecessary divisions in Portuguese society”.
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