In the heat of discussion for the fiscal crisis and now with a recent controversy on human rights, the National Restoration Party (PRN) announces an intense struggle from the Legislative Assembly for the next 18 months. Hours after the controversial ruling of the Constitutional Chamber on equal marriage, the group announced a strong opposition to the figure.
For the legislative fraction it is impossible to give their votes so that same-sex couples have this right, because they argue that marriage is between men and women.
Eduardo Cruickshank, legislator of this bench, said that the only option would be the presentation of a bill in which rights are sought for these couples, but outside the framework of marriage, although he believes such an initiative will be obstructed by those in favor of the unions, provided that the 18 month period expires and enters into force.
The judges defined that the articles that currently prevent marriage and common-law marriages between people of the same sex in Costa Rica will be unconstitutional but only 18 months from now (one year and a half).
The legislator stated that despite the proposal, they would not purge any attempt to approve the initiative because they know full well other fractions will seek the approval of equal marriage rights for all couples at all costs.
The head of the bench, Carlos Avendaño, shares this criterion, which is why they believe in the viability of an alternative project.
The evangelical pastor is extremely upset because the Constitutional Chamber defined a time to legislate on a specific issue. From his point of view this is interference. For more than a decade the Chamber has recommended the legislators to regulate this matter. There is no difference now.
According to Jonathan Prendas, Heredian legislator for this party, the resolution of the Constitutional Chamber is completely political.
Prendas indicated that if in the end the bench is not inclined to present an initiative, they will analyze projects such as civil unions or co-existence societies. He stated that they are not against same-sex couples having rights related to education, health, inheritance or pension, as long as they do not imply a marriage.
Xiomara Rodriguez, another legislator from Restoration, announced that they will not give the votes for the bill convened by the Executive Power.
For Restoration, if equal marriage is legal in a year and a half, it will not be a defeat for them, since they believe it was something that was forged from the Constitutional Chamber and not from the Legislative Assembly.
While this is happening with National Restoration, the Broad Front and the Citizen Action Party (PAC) indicated that they will do everything possible so that this project is approved as soon as possible, with the aim that this population does not have to wait 18 months more to get that right.