Gonzi-Muscat discuss referendum question, but disagree

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat this afternoon had a meeting at the House of Representatives about the proposed referendum on divorce - while the Speaker considered an Opposition request for parliament to discuss a motion tomorrow calling for the holding of a divorce referendum.

Informed sources said the two had discussed, but disagreed on the referendum question. Dr Gonzi had suggested that the people be asked simply whether or not they agreed with the introduction of divorce. Dr Muscat stuck to the question proposed by the Labour Parliamentary Group on Monday, based on the Bill currently before the House.

People in Parliament said that Dr Muscat had been seen leaving the meeting with Dr Gonzi, consulting PL deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, and going back. Dr Farrugia was seen having a discussion with Everist Bartolo, the co-mover of the Bill for the introduction of divorce.

Mr Bartolo was then seen chatting with the other co-mover, Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

Earlier today the House Business Committee failed to agree on a date when the House would debate the referendum motion. Leader of the House Tonio Borg said the PN parliamentary group still needed to discuss the motion, particularly the proposed referendum question.

Dr Pullicino Orlando said he was backing the Opposition motion and agreed with the referendum question as proposed.

He pointed out that the prime minister had said that the question should be based on the Bill before the House, and, Dr Pullicino Orlando said, that was what the motion did.

Following the disagreement in the House Business Committee, the Opposition requested a vote to amend the adjournment motion so that the referendum motion could be debated tomorrow.

The Speaker still has to give his ruling.