According to a report in the Wednesday edition of the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, the German Justice Ministry has drafted a law that foresees changing the wording of many laws that refer to marriage so that they expressly include civil unions as well. In practice, it means changing references to "spouse" in the text of the laws to "spouse or life partner." The legislation involved relates to areas as diverse as infectious diseases, tenants' rights and child benefits. According to the German news agency DPA, around 40 laws are affected. A spokesman for the Family Ministry confirmed the Süddeutsche report on Wednesday.