Recognition of same-sex unions in Moldova

However, the country is obliged under the European Court of Human Rights' ruling in Fedotova and Others v. Russia to provide legal recognition to same-sex unions.

Metropolitan Vladimir stated that Moldova was "in a worrying situation", saying that attempts to legalise civil partnerships "will be followed by a proportional reaction because such decisions go against the eminently Orthodox and historical conscience of the people.

The wording has been interpreted as banning same-sex marriage, though the Constitutional Court of Moldova has not ruled on a case challenging this definition.

[7] Article 2 of the code states that "family relations are performed according to the principles of [...] voluntariness of the marriage union of the man and woman [...]".

[9] In March 2023, four same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses announced plans to challenge the refusal at the European Court of Human Rights.

A 2017 Pew Research Center poll found that 5% of Moldovans supported same-sex marriage, the lowest in Eastern Europe alongside Russia.