235 same-sex partnerships registered in Latvia in a year

RIGA - In the year since the introduction of the Partnership Institution in Latvia, 235 same-sex partnerships have been registered, the Latvian Council of Notaries informed LETA.

In total, 613 partnerships were registered in the Register of Natural Persons' Data by July 1, 235 of which were same-sex partnerships, while in 378 cases partnerships were concluded by couples of different sexes. In 25 cases, the partnership was registered pursuant to a court decision.

However, 19 partnerships have ended during the year. Nine partnerships ended because the couple decided to marry, nine because one of the partners died, and one partnership ended because both partners expressed their wish to do so.

The institution of partnership entitles two adults, regardless of gender, to legally establish their relationship by formalizing it with a notary in the form of a notarial deed. This registration provides the couple with legal, economic and social protection at national level.

Aigars Kaupe, President of the Council of Notaries, believes that the number of partnerships concluded in the first year shows that this new institution is in demand and needed by society as a whole, meets its needs and promotes legal order in couple relationships.

He believes that the "key to success" is the clarity and simplicity of the regulation: partnerships are easy to register and easy to dissolve. But most importantly, registered partnerships provide legal, economic and social protection for individuals at national level.

"The registration of a partnership allows people to participate fully in each other's lives, even in critical situations, and to obtain social guarantees. I therefore encourage all couples, whether opposite or same-sex, living together to take advantage of this opportunity and have their relationship legally registered with a notary," Kaupe urges.

Those who enter into a partnership receive legal, economic and social protection. They are entitled to personal income tax relief on gifts and loans, to make decisions about their partner's medical treatment if they are unable to look after themselves, and to social guarantees, for example in the event of the other person's death. Partners can enjoy protection equivalent to that of family members in other EU countries by exercising one of the EU's fundamental principles - freedom of movement - and choosing to live in another EU country.

The law states that a partnership is not equivalent to marriage. Unlike marriage, the institution of partnership does not provide for property relations and the right of inheritance.