The House of Representatives on Wednesday agreed in principle to full marriage equality for homosexual couples against opposition by conservative parliamentarians.
Supporters of the proposal argued it was time for Switzerland as a liberal country to give gay marriage full legal status.
However, opponents, notably from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, argued civil partnerships for gays and lesbians, introduced in 2007, was enough.
The debate, including the right for lesbian couples to sperm donations, is set to continue over the next few days.
Observers expect the bill to pass in the House, but approval by the Senate at a later stage is less certain.
Right-wing opponents have threatened to challenge a more liberal legislation to a nationwide vote.
The Swiss government in January came out in favour of same-sex marriage, as did the Protestant churches while the Catholic church refused to take a stance.
Mountaineer dies after 100-meter fall from the Matterhorn
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A women fell down the east face of the iconic mountain on Thursday, from an altitude of some 3,460 meters above sea level.
Swiss court ruling: only mothers have legal say in abortion cases
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Switzerland’s highest court has ruled against a man who had sued his ex-partner for terminating pregnancy at an advanced stage.
Shooter and mountain-biker to carry Swiss flag at Olympics opening
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Sports shooter Nina Christen and mountain-biker Nino Schurter will be the Swiss delegation’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the Paris Game on Friday.
UBS questioned by US Senator over $350 million tax evasion case
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UBS has been asked by a powerful US lawmaker about whether Credit Suisse failed to report an American accused of evading taxes on $350 million in income.
Half of Swiss back fireworks as part of national day celebrations
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A survey shows that while half the population says fireworks are an important part of August 1 festivities, a majority are against them being set off by private individuals.
Switzerland’s drug approval process lags behind Europe
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According to a recent study, medicines are approved on average 249 days later in Switzerland than by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Non-believers significantly underrepresented in Swiss parliament
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While non-believers make up the largest group in the Swiss population at around 34%, they rank only third in Parliament with just 23%.
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Switzerland should pave the way to allow same-sex couples to get married and adopt children, a parliamentary committee has said.
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