Recognition of same-sex unions in Montenegro

On 1 July, the Parliament of Montenegro passed a bill by 42 votes to 5 to recognise life partnerships offering several, but not all, of the rights and benefits of marriage.

On 13 November 2012, Deputy Prime Minister Duško Marković said that the Government of Montenegro would prepare a bill granting some form of legal recognition to same-sex couples.

The Serbian Orthodox Church and the Democratic Front expressed opposition to the proposal, claiming it would "wreck Christian values and family life in Montenegro".

[13] On 18 June 2020, the bill was backed by the parliamentary committee on human rights,[14] and on 1 July 2020 it was approved by the Parliament in a 42–5 vote.

[15][16][17][18] It was opposed by the opposition (which abstained), as well as three parties representing ethnic minority communities (Croats, Bosniaks, and Albanians).

[19][20] However, a deadlock in Parliament following Justice Minister Vladimir Leposavić's dismissal from office on 17 June 2021, as well as a lack of adequate documentation by local registrars, caused a delay for same-sex couples to register.

[23] Prime Minister Duško Marković welcomed the law's passage, tweeting that it was "a great step in the right direction for Montenegrin society, its democratic maturity and integration processes.

The legislation established life partnerships (Montenegrin: životno partnerstvo, pronounced [ʒǐvotno pârtnerstvo])[a] for same-sex couples, guaranteeing many legal rights and obligations, including inheritance, guardianship, property ownership, hospital and prison visitation rights and domestic violence protections, among others.