Updated: Opposition calls for referendum before divorce debate - question proposed

The Opposition will today present a motion in Parliament for the holding of a referendum on divorce before the pending bill is debated by the House.

Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said the PL parliamentary group was consistent and united on this issue and felt that a consultative referendum should be held before Parliament debated the pending bill for the introduction of divorce.

"There is no mandate in favour or against the introduction of divorce, and there is therefore need for consultation with the electorate," Dr Muscat said.

He said the referendum question which the PL is proposing is based on the elements of the pending bill, including that couples have to be separated for four years before they become eligible for divorce.

The question would be "Do you agree with having the option of having divorce for married couples who have been separated for four years when there is no reasonable hope for reconciliation and when adequate maintenance is guaranteed and the children are cared for."

Dr Muscat promised at a press conference that the PL position would not change "every 24 hours like the PN" and said he hoped this motion would be debated in Parliament next week.

Replying to questions, Dr Muscat said that while he would continue to hold to his personal views in favour of divorce, the PL would respect the outcome of such a consultative referendum for this legislature.

Earlier today, the Nationalist Party said that should the Opposition move a motion in Parliament calling for a referendum on divorce, the Nationalist MPs would be granted a free vote to take their own decision.

Furthermore, if there was agreement on the question to be asked in the referendum, the Prime Minister would back such a motion in line with his position in favour of a referendum.

The PN said this statement was being issued in reply to questions in had received from the media on the subject.

To date, its position had been that a referendum would be held only if the bill for the introduction of divorce was approved by Parliament.

See PL motion on pdf below