Portugal’s president blocks gay adoption bill

As he prepares to leave office, Portugal’s President Cavaco Silva has vetoed a bill passed by parliament to legalise adoption by same-sex couples.

The legislation was approved by a majority of lawmakers in November to great celebration by the country’s LGBT community. Silva’s move on Monday will undoubtedly be a frustrating development.

The president justified his veto by arguing that it had not been proved that same-sex adoption is in “the child’s best interest” which, he said, trumps demands for equality.

“It is important that such a big change on a sensitive social topic is not entered into force without a broad public debate,” he added in a statement.

Silva leaves office in March and will be replaced by Rebelo de Sousa as president.

The ruling socialist party has announced that it will attempt to override the veto by bringing the law to parliament once again.

Gays and lesbian Portuguese individuals can adopt children but not jointly as couples.

In 2010, Portugal became the sixth European nation to legalise same-sex marriage, but the law also barred gay joint adoption.