German Parliament approves same-sex marriage

Germany's Bundestag — its lower house of Parliament — approved a measure to legalize same-sex marriage today after Chancellor Angela Merkel helped to roll back her party's opposition to the measure, though she ultimately voted against it herself, per NYT.

The chancellor had notably struggled with her view, ultimately expressing a belief that marriage is between a man and a woman, but said after the vote, "I hope that with today's vote, not only that mutual respect is there between the individual positions, but also that a piece of social peace and togetherness could be created."

What's next: The measure will go to the Parliament's upper house and then for the president's signature — both considered routine — paving the way for the first same-sex marriages this fall.