The divorce debate in the Nationalist Party kicked off yesterday with a very “calm and civil” discussion within the executive committee, which will meet again in September to continue exploring the issue.

Executive Committee President Marthese Portelli said when contacted that the internal debate will continue at the party’s executive level and yesterday’s was only the start of a longer process.

She did not say when the next meeting would be held but sources said it would most likely be in September. Members of the executive, who spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity, described the two-and-a-half hour debate that started at 6 p.m. as “very civil”, “calm” and “positive”.

The committee brings together some 100 members of the party from the parliamentary group to the youth section. However, only 85 people can vote, because the votes are divided among the representatives of the various sections of the party.

Backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando did not give a formal presentation on his Divorce Bill, which was what prompted yesterday’s meeting to be held, but put forward his arguments on the matter.

Sources said a minority of executive members, including some MPs, supported Dr Pullicino Orlando’s initiative and spoke in favour of divorce.

Three Cabinet members – Tonio Fenech, Tonio Borg and Carm Mifsud Bonnici – forcefully reiterated their stand against divorce, according to sources, even though Dr Borg did say he agreed with holding a referendum on the matter. The referendum option was raised by a number of other people.

The Prime Minister opened the discussion by reiterating his opposition to divorce but sources said he set the right tone for the debate to flow in a positive way.

This was the first time that divorce has been discussed in the PN’s executive committee after Dr Pullicino Orlando forced it onto the agenda by presenting his Private Member’s Bill last month. The Bill is modelled on Irish legislation that requires couples to be separated for at least four years before obtaining a divorce.

Dr Gonzi had said he wanted the discussion to continue and the decision to be taken by the people without, however, specifying whether this was through a referendum or a general election. Dr Pullicino Orlando has publicly said that he wants the Bill to be debated in Parliament by January next year.