Italy's parliament has backed same-sex civil unions in a vote of confidence for centre-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi

Until Wednesday's vote Italy had been the last major Western democracy not to legally recognise gay partnerships. The issue has been highly controversial in Italy, amid staunch opposition from Catholic conservatives.

According to BBC news, MPs in the lower house voted 369-193 for the government, ensuring that the civil unions bill will become law.

Ahead of the vote, Mr Renzi wrote on Facebook that "today is a day of celebration for so many"

Matteo Renzi

9 hrs · 

It is a day of celebration for many today.
For anyone who feels finally recognised.
For who sees after years that they are being returned by civil rights so that we don't need any other adjectives
For anyone who has had a hard time tonight and get some sleep for who for days he writes us wondering where celebrate, for those who simply is no longer in the skin.
It is a day of celebration for many today.

In these crucial hours I keep close in my heart the thought and the memory of Alessia. And that's enough for me. Because the laws are made for people, not for ideologies. For those who love, not for who proclaims

Let's write another page important of Italy that we want.
We do this by putting the trust because they were not possible further delays after years of failed attempts.
We do it with humility and courage. But we do it now because in Italy it is no longer possible to continue postponing everything.

Final approval of civil unions is expected later on Wednesday, but that vote by MPs is seen as a formality, as the confidence vote was the crucial hurdle. After many delays the civil unions bill was watered down in order to secure the necessary support.