France is set to become the 14th nation in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, after the National Assembly passed it in a final vote after months of debate and heated protests.
The ruling Socialist party and their allies in the lower house of the National Assembly passed the bill 331 in favour – 225 against, giving same-sex couples the legal right to marry and adopt children.
Tensions caused by the bill were so high “legions” of police officers gathered outside the National Assembly with water cannons while the vote took place.
The final remaining step before the bill becomes law is for it to be signed by President Francois Hollande, who gave his formal approval to the bill last November.