How did this hot potato suddenly find itself on the national agenda? Christian Peregin tracks the major developments over the last three years to see how Malta’s first divorce referendum found itself on the cards for 2011.

August 3, 2008

Having just been elected Labour leader promising to front a Private Member’s Bill on divorce once in government, Joseph Muscat says he would act even quicker if a free vote from both sides is guaranteed. He describes a referendum as “passing the buck” and an “irresponsible failure”.

June 12, 2010

Alternattiva Demokratika calls on MPs to start debating divorce, especially since they planned to debate cohabitation.

July 6, 2010

Nationalist backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando surprises the country with his own Private Member’s Bill based on Irish legislation. Dr Muscat calls for “consultation” and promises a free vote. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi says he is against divorce and the public should be given chance to express itself.

July 7, 2010

The Nationalist Party parliamentary group meets and Dr Gonzi says the decision should not be taken by 69 MPs but by the electorate because no political party mentioned divorce in their electoral manifestos, so there is no mandate.

July 11, 2010

President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami insists divorce should not be decided through a referendum.

July 14, 2010

Dr Pullicino Orlando calls for the Bill to be discussed in Parliament by January but says this is a time frame not a deadline.

July 29, 2010

The PN executive committee holds first of several meetings on divorce. Discussion begins with the aim of taking a stand.

August 8, 2010

A survey by The Sunday Times shows 40 per cent are in favour of divorce and 45 per cent against. A referendum is favoured by 58 per cent.

August 11, 2010

The Labour Party says it is “open” to holding a referendum but wants the debate to focus on specific legislation.

October 11, 2010

According to Dr Pullicino Orlando, Dr Gonzi promises him a referendum to be held in 2011 after the Bill is discussed in Parliament.

October 15, 2010

After Dr Pullicino Orlando spills the beans, Dr Gonzi says: “Don’t speak of referenda yet.”

October 18, 2010

Dr Muscat asks Dr Gonzi to give his MPs a free vote and says his MPs could speak freely about divorce.

October 24, 2010

A PN spokesman confirms Nationalist MPs will have a free vote in Parliament, pointing out Dr Gonzi has always said people should decide freely according to conscience.

November 13, 2010

A pro-divorce movement is launched, with politicians from all three political parties, chaired by family lawyer Deborah Schembri.

November 16, 2010

Dr Pullicino Orlando cites legal advice saying a referendum could be held before parliamentary vote. A clause linking it to a referendum could be included in his Bill at “second reading” stage.

December 6, 2010

Dr Muscat meets the pro-divorce movement and says a “no vote” in a referendum would not stop him from “trying again” in the future.

December 15, 2010

Labour MP Evarist Bartolo and Dr Pullicino Orlando jointly present a new divorce Bill, with amendments which better tailor the Irish law for Maltese legislation.

January 12, 2011

The anti-divorce movement is launched by financial services lawyer Andrè Camilleri and says divorce makes marriage redundant.

January 23, 2011

Dr Gonzi says he wants the divorce issue resolved this year and promises not to “play games”. He adds the electorate must vote.

January 26, 2011

Nationalist minister Austin Gatt threatens to resign from Parliament if the PN takes a pro-divorce stance and begins campaigning against divorce.

January 27, 2011

PN sources say Dr Gonzi proposed a February parliamentary debate followed by a referendum in summer. Dr Gonzi later slams “speculative” reports.

January 28, 2011

Youngest PN backbencher Karl Gouder comes out in favour of divorce.

January 30, 2011

Dr Fenech Adami calls for the PN to take a stand against divorce.

February 9, 2011

The PN publishes a draft motion: the party is against divorce because it does not promote family values but leaves the doors open to dissenters. It says a divorce referendum will only be held if the draft Bill is approved.

February 12, 2011

The PN adopts the anti-divorce motion. Dr Gonzi says parliamentary procedure was a “straitjacket” and a parliamentary vote will have to be held before the referendum. He confirms he will vote down the Bill before it reaches the public. Labour accuses him of breaking his promise and says the party will be on the public’s side.

February 14, 2011

Just before a Labour press conference, Dr Gonzi issues a statement saying he would accept a Labour motion to hold a referendum if the question proposed is clear and specific. The Labour parliamentary group presents a motion to hold a referendum on divorce based on three main points contained in the Bill.

February 16, 2011

In a House Business Committee, the government refuses to guarantee that the motion will start to be discussed within a week. The PL says it has a parliamentary majority and calls for a vote but the Speaker refuses this request. Dr Gonzi then says the debate can happen the following week.

February 17, 2011

Dr Gonzi meets his parliamentary group individually to tell them he wants the question to be a simple yes or no to divorce. Dr Pullicino Orlando says he would campaign against a yes vote if this were the case. Dr Gonzi then sends a letter to Dr Muscat saying he wants the question changed and a referendum on May 28.

February 19, 2011

Dr Muscat refuses to change the question but accepts the date.

February 21, 2011

Dr Gonzi warns the referendum question paves the way for “no-fault” divorce.

February 23, 2011

A three-week divorce debate about the motion begins in Parliament. Throughout the debate, Jesmond Mugliett and Dr Pullicino Orlando say they will vote in favour of the motion. Mr Gouder says he will vote against. All Labour MPs say they will vote in favour.

March 6, 2011

The Sunday Times publishes a survey showing 58 per cent would vote in favour in a referendum if asked the question proposed by the PL. Only 43 per cent would vote in favour if the question is simply yes or no.

March 7, 2011

The anti-divorce movement says it will begin lobbying MPs against the “loaded” referendum question being proposed.

March 16, 2011

Dr Pullicino Orlando and Dr Mugliett vote with all Labour MPs in favour of the motion. Divorce referendum set for May 28.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.