German Chancellor Angela Merkel appears likely to remain in power
as voters head to the polls on Sunday.
“In the run-up to tomorrow we have defended our record,”
Merkel said in a last-minute plea for votes. “And we have said
what we want to do over the next four years. And we are asking the
people to express their confidence in us. And that means casting
both votes for the Christian Democratic Union.”
“It is also clear that Germany can only do well in the long-term
if all of Europe does well. This is why the stabilization of the
Euro is not just a good thing for Europe, but it is also in Germany's
fundamental interest.
Merkel's conservatives oppose marriage and adoption for gay and
lesbian couples, while other parties favor such rights. In the past,
courts have forced the government to extend gay couples' rights.
Currently, German gay couples can enter partnerships that fall short
of marriage.
Germany, Europe's largest economy, is one of four G8 countries
that do not allow gay couples to marry. The other three are Italy,
Japan and Russia. The United States recognizes the legal marriages
of gay couples. However, marriage is regulated by the states and so
far only 13 states and the District of Columbia issue marriage
licenses to same-sex couples.