Until recently marriage was for straight and civil union for same sex (with afaik exactly the same legal implications). Marriage could either be performed by a priest or by city council official (or sometimes a judge), while civil union was a council affair. I think there was some council conflict on introduction of civil unions, but it quickly passed (perhaps because performing marriages/civil unions is largely a voluntary extra-work (payed, but in addition to your daytime job)). Some churches also offered a blessing ceremony, with some conflict within the church.

The big conflict centered around the churches when last year the legislation was merged into marriage for all. This means that either the churches give up performing marriages, or they accept everyone who wants to get married (provided they are members of the church in question). The churches threatened getting out of the marriage biz, but the parliament called the bluff and the churches caved.

Interestingly enough the small christian democrat party's last fall-back position was something liberals had argued for some time. That legal marriage should be performed by a council/court official and then congregations could have whatever ceremonies they wanted without legal effects. The churches - spearheaded by the totally dominating swedish lutheran church (formerly a branch of government) - did not support that however, as it would mean an even more marginalized existence.

A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!