Greece’s Supreme Court is hearing a case today that challenges the constitutionality of the landmark law legalizing same-sex marriage and granting adoption rights to same-sex couples.
The case, brought before the Plenary Session of the Council of State—the country’s highest administrative court—challenges Law 5089/2024, which for the first time recognized marriage between same-sex partners and extended parental rights, including joint adoption.
Several religious groups, advocating for the traditional family structure based on the Greek Orthodox faith, filed the appeal. They argue the law violates constitutional protections of the family, marriage, maternity, and childhood, which they claim presuppose a mother and father of opposite sexes. They also contend that children adopted by same-sex couples are placed at a disadvantage.
The Supreme Court is tasked with examining whether these provisions are in conflict with Articles 21 and 4 of the Greek Constitution, which concern family protection and equality before the law.
Supporting the law in court are the relevant government ministries and the National Commission for Human Rights, which argues the legislation promotes equality and aligns with fundamental human rights.
The hearing comes nearly over a year after the contentious passing of the law. While the law was hailed as a major step forward by groups like Amnesty International, critics—including the Greek Orthodox Church and former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras—have strongly opposed it.
Public opinion remains divided. Polls at the time showed that 40% of Greeks opposed same-sex marriage, and nearly 60% were against same-sex couples raising children.
