The French solution

Regarding separations, cohabitation and marriages in Malta, the authorities should look into the civilised and rational solution adopted in France of civil unions (PACS, for pacte civil de solidarieté).

This legal contract between two parties stops short of marriage, gives the individuals concerned the rights that married couples enjoy regarding taxes, pensions, inheritance and legitimacy. It could also serve as an intermediate step to marriage for heterosexuals who choose a life-binding union.

If this option were available divorce will become a non-issue and homosexual couples can legitimise their union without asking for marriage which is traditionally reserved for couples made up of a man and a woman.