Reactions: Divorce referendum motion approved

The House of Representatives has approved a motion moved by the Opposition for the holding of a consultative referendum on the introduction of divorce, and including the referendum question.

The referendum will be held on Saturday, May 28.

All Labour MPs voted in favour of the motion, along with Nationalist MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Jesmond Mugliett.

All other Nationalist MPs voted against the motion.

MPs were granted a free vote at the end of a debate held over 10 sittings. The Prime Minister spoke against the motion last night, objecting to the referendum question, while Opposition leader Joseph Muscat backed it this afternoon.

The question reads - "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."

PULLICINO ORLANDO DECLARATION

Before the vote was taken, Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando thanked the Prime Minister for granting a free vote. He said he regretted he would have to vote for the Opposition motion, but he would remain loyal to the electoral mandate granted to him and would remain active within the Nationalist parliamentary group.

The outcome of the vote was greeted with applause.

REACTIONS

Speaking after the vote, Joseph Muscat said he was very satisfied with the 'coherent and united front of the Labour Party'.

Flanked by Evarist Bartolo, a co-sponsor of the Divorce Bill, and Marie-Louise Coleiro, who is opposing divorce but backed the motion for the holding of a referendum, Dr Muscat said this was a free vote and a first step for Malta to become a true European country.

Asked if he viewed this as a vote of no confidence in the government, he said he had noted Dr Pullicino Orlando's declaration. The governemnt, however, was stumbling from one crisis to another despite saying that all was under control.

Dr Gonzi said this was a 'mature step' and a rare situation where MPs voted according to their cosnscience. This had been the right procedure to follow in such a delicate matter, and both parties had shown moral courage.

He pointed out that both parties agreed on the holding of the referendum on May 28 but disagreed on the referendum question. He would continue to say that the question was misleading.

He said that the next step, within a forthnight, was the publication of the writ for the holding of the referendum. He said he would respect the vote of the people and would grant another free vote in Parliament as necessary.

PN STATEMENT

The Nationalist Party hoped that the referendum campaign in the coming weeks would show how much the referendum question approved by Parliament today was not fair or neutral and had been drawn up to misguide the people and assist the campaign of those who wanted to see the introduction of divorce.