Updated | German parliament approves same-sex marriage legislation

The German Parliament has approved by a clear majority to legalise same-sex marriage, days after Chancellor Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to the proposal.

393 MPs voted to approve the amendment, while 226 voted against and four abstained.

Merkel, who only decided to allow the vote on Monday, voted against the measure but gave a free vote to her MPs in her conservative Christian Democrat Party (CDU), telling them to “follow their conscience”.

The reform gives gay men and lesbians full marital rights, and allow them to adopt children.

During her 2013 election campaign, Merkel had argued against gay marriage on the grounds of “children’s welfare” and admitted that she had a “hard time” with the issue.

However, at an event hosted by the women’s magazine ‘Brigitte’ on 26 June, she shocked the German press by announcing that she had noted other parties’ support for gay marriage, and that she would allow a free vote in the future.

She said she had a “life-changing experience” in her home constituency during a dinner she had with a lesbian couple who cared for eight foster children together.

A recent survey by the government's anti-discrimination agency found that 83% of Germans are in favour of marriage equality.

Germans go to the polls on 24 September, and Merkel’s sudden turnaround will deprive her opponents of a campaign issue.

The Greens, the far-left Linke, and the pro-business Free Democrats all back same-sex marriage, and have refused to enter a future coalition deal with the CDU unless reform is agreed on.

Merkel's current coalition partners - the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) - have done the same.

The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) is now the only party to oppose same-sex marriage.