With 66.8% of the yes votes in a referendum, Cuba adopted the so-called “Family Code”, a package of measures that same-sex marriages and civil partnerships, adoption by same-sex couples and surrogacy.
The 100 page code also addresses gender-based violence and promotes the equal distribution of domestic rights and responsibilities between men and women. “This code makes everyone equal,” said José Antonio Fernández, a 73-year-old Havana resident who voted in favor of the measure.
The results were confirmed this Monday by the National Electoral Council (CEN) following the historic vote on Sunday 25th September. According to official information from the President of CEN, Alida Balseiro, 33.13% of those entitled to vote opposed the amendment to the Family Code, while 25.01% abstained.
Preliminary results covering Cuba and abroad
Base part: 8 447 467
They exercised the right to vote: 6,251,786
Percentage of votes: 74.01%
Valid tickets: 5 892 705
Yes votes: 3,936,790 (66.87%)
No votes: 1,950,090 (33.13%) pic.twitter.com/ZlTjGX3Jux— Elections in Cuba (@Elecciones_Cuba) September 26, 2022
The measure required more than 50% of the votes cast to become law. The stake is around 74%. Unlike other regulations such as the penal code, this is the only project that has been subject to a referendum among the 70 laws updated with the new constitution.
“Love is already law”
After hearing the results this Monday, President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his “joy” via his Twitter account warned it will be a “challenging” week due to the foreseeable arrival of Hurricane Ian.
Under the premise of “love is law,” the government has in recent weeks flooded TV and radio with ads celebrating diversity and inclusion to promote the code. The President sponsored a comprehensive legislative package that he assured would eliminate prejudice and taboos ingrained in Cuban society.
However, some conservatives, including the Catholic Church and evangelicals, see it differently. They strongly oppose issues such as marriage equality and lament that state control of the media has stifled opposing viewpoints.
“Some aspects of this family code have divided public opinion, including families‘ emphasized voter Lisandra Samon in the country’s capital. government opponents and supporters They almost turned the vote into a consultation to express themselves for or against the Cuban socialist system.
However, most of the previous electoral initiatives on the island have been overwhelmingly adopted A severe economic crisis, which has led to long lines for food, medicine and fuel, had raised the possibility of an anti-government protest vote.
The entry into force of the approved measures would place Cuba at the forefront of progressive social policies adopted in Latin America in recent years.
Source: France 24
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