Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said this Sunday (25) that he expects a majority of votes in favor of “yes” in the referendum on the Code of Families, which includes issues such as gay marriage, same-sex adoption and surrogacy.
“We have to get used to the fact that in such complex issues where there is diversity of criteria and in the midst of a complex situation there may even be people who have a punishment vote,” the president told reporters after leaving his polling place.
Díaz-Canel highlighted that these people “may not have anything against the Code (of Families), but they assume a position of discontent because their situation at the moment is complex; but it is also legitimate”.
The president acknowledged the difficult economic context – after two years of serious crisis – in which the referendum is being held. “We took a position of courage, to call a referendum in the conditions that the country lives. We all know that there are shortages, blackouts, shortages, an important part of the paralyzed economy”, he said.
The referendum on the Family Code ended at 18:00 (17:00 GMT). The final result will be announced five days later, will be binding and will require a simple majority: more than 50%, in favor or against. The National Electoral Commission (CNE) should advance preliminary results on Monday (26).
Before being approved in July this year by the National Assembly (Unicameral Parliament), version 25 of the law was widely consulted between February and April in 79,000 meetings by neighborhoods and municipalities.
Although the issues considered most controversial are the recognition of same-sex marriage or the possibility of adoption by same-sex couples, the vast legislative package also regulates parental responsibility and so-called joint pregnancy.
The proposed Family Code mentions gender-based violence, prohibits child marriage, and protects communication between grandparents and grandchildren in the event of divorce.
It covers other changes in the family context, such as preventing domestic aggressors from asking for custody of children, the distribution of goods and the incorporation of stepmothers and stepfathers as guardians.
This is the only project that will go to referendum among the 70 legal norms updated with the new Constitution, unlike other laws such as the Penal Code. In addition, it has been published in the Official Gazette since July 22 this year.
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