Kosovo’s parliament has rejected a new law that would allow same-sex couples to form civil partnerships. Just 28 out of 120 MPs voted in favour of the bill proposed by the government of left-wing Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Kosovo’s government had been hoping to become the first Muslim-majority country to recognise same-sex unions. The proposed bill was also part of wide-ranging reforms of Kosovo’s civil code, supported by the European Union. PM Kurti had urged MPs to pass the bill because “rights belong to us, they belong to everyone”. But after heated debate, several MPs — including lawmakers from Kurti’s Vetevendosje — voted against the legislation.