Labour leader Joseph Muscat is prepared to present a Bill in parliament proposing the introduction of divorce, but only if Nationalist MPs are given a free vote on the issue.
Last week, Alternattiva Demo-kratika urged the MLP to propose a divorce Bill in parliament, since it had the power to do so.
Dr Muscat said, however, that there was little point presenting a Bill for the time being - unless the Prime Minister commits himself to giving his MPs a free vote - because it would be defeated in parliament.
"Such a defeat would be a huge blow to the aspirations of the progressive and moderate element in our country. It goes without saying, of course, that Labour MPs would also enjoy the benefit of free-vote," Dr Muscat told The Sunday Times.
"Therefore, if the Prime Minister agrees to allow Nationalist MPs to vote according to their individual conscience, I would - after considering the individual views of all MPs who are in favour of the introduction of divorce, and seeking the opinion of moderate citizens outside of Parliament - consider moving a Private Members' Bill during this legislature."
But the likelihood of this happening, for the time being at least, seems remote - even though Social Policy Minister John Dalli said last month that there should be a discussion on the subject. A spokesman for the OPM said the government was conscious of today's social realities.
"However, any topic that is related to family issues needs to be discussed within a wider strategy targeting the strengthening of the family unit. This discussion needs to realistically address the fact that there are families that have broken down for some reason or another."
The spokesman said the debate should address the realities and difficulties faced by couples who have decided to cohabit, among others.
"There are no easy or simple answers to the many questions facing our society," the OPM said. However, it did not respond to questions over whether the government plann-ed to set up a commission on the issue, or if it was ruling out the possibility of introducing divorce legislation.
Dr Muscat is bound to have elements within his party who disagree with his stand. In a letter today (see letters section), Labour MP Adrian Vassallo describes divorce as the destruction of values handed down by ancestral cultural traditions.
But the Labour leader is determined: "For the first time, the leader of one of the two major parties is not only in favour of divorce but is also stating that he is ready to move legislation on the subject.
"On the other hand, we have a conservative Prime Minister who, back in 1998, went on record as saying that 'divorce is no solution' but is now saying that there should be a 'debate in Cabinet'.
Dr Muscat said the debate Malta needed was not on whether divorce should be introduced but rather on the type of divorce legislation that should be enacted.
"I believe that this is also the opinion of progressives and moderates in this country, inside and outside the Labour Party," he said.
Should a referendum be held?
"Calling a referendum would simply amount to passing the buck. It would be an irresponsible failure to postpone the decisions that need to be taken."
The Nationalist Party was evasive. General secretary Paul Borg Olivier said the party had not set the ball in motion to discuss the subject and could not comment.
"Although divorce does not form part of the PN's electoral programme, public debate on the issue has re-emerged and is setting a pace. In this scenario, the PN will participate in the debate keeping in context the relevant needs of the family and its children within a changing society, according to the values it upholds and beyond emotions and political partisanship, with full respect to different ideas and opinions on the matter," he said.