Ivan Camilleri, Paris
Gonzi willing to start divorce debate
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday his government is prepared to kick-start a national debate on the introduction of divorce, putting his weight behind Social Policy Minister John Dalli's declaration in an interview with The Sunday Times that he is planning to propose such a discussion to Cabinet colleagues.
Asked for his reaction while participating in the celebrations of Bastille Day, as guest of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Dr Gonzi said he agreed that such a debate should start and he would welcome a discussion at Cabinet level.
Malta is the only EU member state and only one of two in the world that does not allow divorce. The other country is the Philippines.
"My government agrees that the time is ripe for such a discussion to start. We have to address our evolving social realities. The way our society is developing makes this discussion even more important. However, we have to look at all aspects of divorce," he said.
Dr Gonzi was cautions not to mention any time-frames. Pressed to say whether divorce legislation could be proposed to Parliament during this legislature, Dr Gonzi steered clear of making any commitments. "We cannot pre-set this important discussion and we have to tread carefully.
"What we are saying at this stage is that the government is disposed to start analysing and discussing. We need first to see how best to address Malta's present social realities and then make the necessary decisions.
"But, I must stress, we first need a thoughtful discussion on this delicate issue."
Dr Gonzi insisted that his government believes first and foremost in having stronger families. "We believe that what Malta needs most is stronger families. Thus, we will also be discussing better ways of how to offer more support to strengthen families," he said.
Nationalist governments have never put divorce on the political agenda. Former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami - known for his strong Catholic convictions - had steered clear of such a debate, stressing that divorce was not up for discussion.
During his 22-month stint in government, former Labour leader Alfred Sant had set up a commission on the family but no concrete results were forthcoming.
The new leader of the MLP, Joseph Muscat, is on record saying that he is in favour of the introduction of divorce. He pledged that if elected and if Labour is in government he would be moving his own draft legislation and would allow a free vote to Labour parliamentarians on the issue.
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Maryanne Griscti
Jul 18th 2008, 10:49
When I hear the nonsense of certain people asking how we should make families stronger rather than legislate divorce I really question their rationale and intellect.
Did it ever occur to these people that those who want divorce to be legislated are those who want to remarry and have a proper family structure?
For those who want to leave a marriage (for whatever reason) no divorce is necessary - simply a legal separation option that exists today.
If they just want to co-habit and have children no divorce is necessary.
However if they want a proper family structure then divorce will signify just that. Isn't this also strengthening the family structure rather than leave a large pogguti club + their children simply because they have no other legal alternative??
Fortunately I am happily married and aim to remain so but our secular government needs to be sensitive to those who are not so lucky rather than abandon them in limbo.
Anyhow, it was refreshing to listen to the Prime Minister finally be in favour of a divorce debate.
Marc Elsbeek
Jul 16th 2008, 20:30
For people coming from the north western part of Europe this upcoming debate is really unbelievable! Everybody is complaining about Islamic fundamentalists, but it seems we overlook that Christian fundamentalist’s still rule in some parts of the so called first world! Every human is entitled to determine what to do with his/her own life. Isn't this the most important achievement of our modern society? Everybody has a right for his/her own opinion, at least in countries which claim to be a democracy. No book or bible based on events happening for 2,000 years or more, should dictate our modern society. The Vatican is wondering why more and more people leave church. Well I think this is a good example why!
J. Martinelli
Jul 16th 2008, 19:53
"And how on earth is the PM going to strengthen the Maltese family? I think it's too late now. If the Maltese family is weak, one should try and study what weakened it".
"Stronger families is what we need and not divorce".
"...so they will only "debate" the issue of divorce because Joseph Muscat is now forcing them to".
"Another case of AD leads others follow"
From the above comments emerge this analysis:
1. Families are weak. There is no divorce law in Malta. So the weakness of the families does not stem from divorce.
2. Since Joseph 'forced' PM Gonzi to debate divorce, then the MLP must be pro-divorce.
3. Since AD leads the way and are also pro-divorce, then we have the NP, MLP and AD willing to debate the issue. Oh dear me - concensus at last!
Since AD are right abolut the environment, right about divorce and right about just about everything else, why don't they have even one MP ?
Kevin Apap
Jul 16th 2008, 15:53
The debate should be more concentrated on strengthening the family rather than on how to introduce divorce. The law should always reflect the ideal situation. However, help and support should be given to broken families in all means possible. However, I do not think divorce is the solution.
Maria H. Muscat
Jul 16th 2008, 09:39
about time we start debating about this issue..
Raphael Dingli
Jul 16th 2008, 01:15
Dr Gonzi's "evolving social realities" is one for the books! The reality has evolved to a point where it is on its way to becoming extinct. Better late never I suppose!
Joseph Grech-Attard
Jul 15th 2008, 19:27
And how on earth is the PM going to strengthen the Maltese family? I think it's too late now. If the Maltese family is weak, one should try and study what weakened it. It seems to me that PN governments first tend to let things go and rot (e.g Health and Education, the pillars of any society; other social services soon to follow) and then try to mend things up. "Prevention is better than cure" holds not only for health issues but also for political ones. Another example:
In 1971 Mintoff was booed at Helsinki by Nationalist colleagues because of his veto on the Mediterranean paper in the CSCE Conference. Now, 37 years later, our Nationalist PM attended a conference on Mediterranean unity!! Why did we not pursue it throughout these 37 years? Etc, etc, etc!
Ronnie Gauci
Jul 15th 2008, 18:49
Great News, being happily married like myself does not mean that I have to remain passive about other couples who are not and are suffering for this. Luckily in Malta they are the minority but that does not mean they have to suffer plus we can easily find ourselves in their situation someday.
I hope that the Church will stay put of this, it ain't none of her business.
Malcolm Seychell
Jul 15th 2008, 18:01
I think that a debate should start on a national level. All, parties and sectors should be involved so one can trace all the positive and negative aspects.
Joe Grima
Jul 15th 2008, 16:37
Stronger families is what we need and not divorce. Laws must be changed not to favour the weaking of the families. Look at what the so call social services given to single parents etc are doing. Young couples prefering not to get married because their better off getting aid from the state.....and the majority of the Maltese continue to fund these services through their tax bills!!! Wake up Malta before its too late. Loads of problems would be created if divorce is legalised and this isn't from a religious point of view only.
Lynn Zahra
Jul 15th 2008, 16:19
If Gonzi had not said something to restrain the enthusiasm for a debate on divorce "......yes , however we have to consider all aspects of divorce" I would have been very surprised. The PN are a bunch of holier than the pope folks and so they will only "debate" the issue of divorce because Joseph Muscat is now forcing them to.
Anton Portelli
Jul 15th 2008, 16:03
Mr or Ms C. Micallef do you think we should keep waiting until we are the only nation on the planet not giving this right to its citizens. If you do not want it do not take it but please respect others' right to freedom.
It is a ray of hope that even Dr. Gonzi now realizes that it is time to start this debate. I reiterate that this should start soon and it should not take so long to be decided. This is a right that all citizens in the world, except we Maltese the Philippines, enjoy.
Dr Gonzi do it and do it fast.
M. Andrews
Jul 15th 2008, 15:58
Debate it and make it legal now!!!
Once it's made legal there will be a queue from Taxbiex to Valletta with people wanting to get a divorce and that is their right i feel.
Let them have another chance of remarrying as they may have made a bad choice the first time round.
I am all for it and abortion too ...... but that's a different story.
carmen caruana
Jul 15th 2008, 15:57
Ohh yes, what a big surprise, there was someone someday named eddie fenech adami that was going to legalise divorce......buq maybe i dreamt it during the night !!
Maria Whitehead
Jul 15th 2008, 15:26
Contrary to popular belief.... Making Divorce an available option will not increase the risk of people severring their marriages more easily. Anyone who has gone through a separation knows all too well that the choice is not an easy one, and the emotional, financial and social stress is not taken lightly either. Fact is when no amount of councelling helps to fix the problems in a marriage, the lack of divorce in Malta has certainly not deterred people from trying to rebuild their lives by walking away from the damaging relationships.
At present, there are only two options. The first being to be legally separated and live the rest of your life with any potential new partner as a "de-facto" making it hard on kids that ensue, to understand how their family is different. The second would be to move abroad and get the divorce through a foreign country.
Making divorce legal does not mean everyone will be rushing to get one. People who seriously need one will seek one and those who are blessed with a good relationship or the character to make serious efforts to save their marriage, will not need to seek the one.
Dr.Emmy Bezzina,LL.D.,B.A.,Dip.S.Th.,
Jul 15th 2008, 14:25
The People are not fools - Divorce for locals must be implemented now - cut out this crap and downright hypocrisy.Do not play about with the Peoples` needs anymore. This Public Transport Strike has shown how weak the Minority Government actually is: two days on and the country is well nigh paralayzed - we have not heard a Statement neither by the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister who are probably still dazed by listening to O SOLE MIO while Anarchy reigns on in this supposedly Democracy of ours.DIVORCE is a private right lack of which is costing our Country much in many strata.The People have long ago reacted by forming out their individual lifestyles - this is now even evident in Parliament.We speak of Family Values when fornication,adultery,infidelity,cohabitations,single parents,unknown fathers,ever-increasing numbers of children born out of marriage,Separations,Annulments,Foreign Divorces are on the increase.Fool yourself Mr.Prime Minister but we The People will back JOHN DALLI & JOSEPH MUSCAT....We want a local Divorce NOW,otherwise the supreme interests of my Country will keep being undermined.Everyone is aware that you cannot fool all the People at the Same Time,however we have now reached the stage where even some will not be fooled!
Michael Debono
Jul 15th 2008, 14:07
Seeking annulment of marriage from the Catholic Church in England the first thing required is to have a divorce decree.
Check and confirm please
Joanne Micallef
Jul 15th 2008, 14:07
Finally our Goverment has decided to acknowledge todays reality.
george sinagra
Jul 15th 2008, 13:52
Another case of AD leads others follow.
John Schembri
Jul 15th 2008, 13:48
Joseph Muscat's claim that he will legalize divorce signalled his clear intent to attract liberal voters from AD and PN. It also has the intention of projecting the MLP as more in touch with Malta's social realities.
The countermove from Dalli and Gonzi is superb, well-timed and intent on stealing his thunder.
At the end of the day, in today's circumstances I will be the first to call a spade a spade and say its now become needed - provided the law is diligently passed.
c mangion
Jul 15th 2008, 13:42
@c micallef
hope you're joking.
allelulia i was never this happy before in my life. at least a disscussion is going to start. and btw Dr Gonzi we want divorce so i can marry my partner and have a stronger family instead of co habitation.
Paul Portelli
Jul 15th 2008, 13:37
People like C. Micallef obviously don't live in Malta or are oblivious of what is happening around us.
Its a reality we cannot continue to run away from or pretend does not exist. Joseph Muscat's declaration that he is in favour (and will legalize) divorce gives the Prime Minister the pretext he needs to cross this bridge without political attacks from the other side.
However for a divorce debate to take place, the Government needs to ensure that this is done without any hysterics from any side or Church involvement. Chile - that legalized divorce last is an experience one should look to and learn from.
B Agius
Jul 15th 2008, 11:23
It would've been nice for Catholic Malta not to have to have this debate. But full points to Gonzi for even suggesting that divorce should be debated at national level. We'll see what comes out of it - perhaps years and years of debate and no consensus or action. We already know what the Church will say - the issue is how to take the Church's view into account but improve the reality for many people in malta that would like to have the option. Those that for religious reasons don't want divorce they do not need to consider it but they have no right to impose themselves or their views on others.
C. Micallef
Jul 15th 2008, 10:32
I don't know Gonz, seems a little early to start discussing such a topic. I would give it another couple of decades. After all, if we start discussing divorce, one day we might actually have to legalize it!
Victor Fiorini
Jul 15th 2008, 10:21
about time...