A roadmap for the resolution of the divorce issue by year’s end will be known after the Nationalist Party concluded its internal debate on the matter by the end of January according to the Prime Minister.
Lawrence Gonzi said the divorce discussion in the PN’s executive committee will conclude with the approval of a resolution that will outline the best way forward.
The lack of a roadmap on how the divorce issue ought to be settled was criticised by Alternattiva Demokratika, which is supporting a Private Member’s Bill submitted by PN backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando. Fielding questions by reporters on Net TV’s blogtv programme last night, Dr Gonzi reiterated his position that the final decision on divorce had to be taken by the people in a referendum.
“The party has not swept the issue under the carpet. We discussed it in the party’s highest organ. I hope the debate will be consolidated in a resolution to be approved by the executive where everybody can decide according to their conscience,” Dr Gonzi said.
Pressed to state whether the party will come out with a yes or no decision on divorce, the Prime Minister said he did not want to prejudice the discussion.
Dr Gonzi was amply critical of Dr Pullicino Orlando’s way of surprising everyone, himself included, when the divorce Bill was presented last July.
“As much as I did not like the surprise of finding a divorce Bill in front of me, the party will not spring any surprises. When the PN closes the discussion it will outline the process ahead,” Dr Gonzi said, insisting no political party had a mandate from the people for the introduction of divorce.
The divorce discussion will not, however, subvert the Bill to regulate cohabitation, which Dr Gonzi said was an electoral promise, and will be presented to the PN parliamentary group shortly.