A man holds a sign which reads 'God likes Men' as people in
Nice march in support of the French government's draft law
to legalise marriage and adoption for same-sex couples.
REUTERS/Jean-Pierre Amet
The number of people who support the legalisation of
same-sex marriage in France has risen despite major protests
against the government's planned reforms earlier this month, a
new poll by Ifop for news website Atlantico.fr showed.
The proportion of those surveyed supporting the change in the
law rose to 63 percent from 60 percent in early January and
December.
Support for adoption rights for gay couples also rose by 3
percentage points, although the country remains divided on
the issue, with 49 percent in favour, according to the
international marketing firm.
The French government underlined its determination to press
ahead with a reform bill earlier this month even after
roughly half a million people marched through Paris on Jan.
13 to show their opposition to the proposal.
"We have observed that the proportion of people in favour of
marriage and adoption has risen three points, compared with
our previous survey, done before the large demonstration,"
said Ifop pollster Jerome Fourquet. "Support for the plan is
increasing - particularly on the Left."
Thousands marched in the French city of Lyon on Saturday in
support of "marriage for all" ahead of a similar
demonstration planned in Paris on Sunday.
The latest Ifop poll was based on the views of 1,026 people
aged 18 or over and was carried out between Jan. 22 and 24,
Ifop said.
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