Nationalist MP Charlo' Bonnici declared today that he would abstain in the divorce vote in Parliament.
In a statement, Mr Bonnici said: "During the referendum campaign I had no qualms in actively participating in the discussion as to whether Divorce Law should be enacted in Malta. I was on the ‘No’ side and for doing this, I have no regrets. I believed, still believe that divorce is harmful to society and that it devalues permanent marriage. However, I was conscious of the importance of ensuring that the will of the people, whatever it is, be respected. I stressed this point when addressing a business breakfast organised by the Zwieg Bla Divorzju Movement, just a fortnight ago.
"On May 28th , the electorate decided that Divorce Law should be enacted. As parliamentarians, we are now duty-bound to ensure that this is done within a reasonable time-frame. We should also actively contribute in making that law, the best law possible within the parameters voted for by the people. There may be clauses that can may be removed and others included in order to make this law the least harmful to society.
"I had declared that when it comes to voting I would be solely led by my conscience respecting, however, the will of the people . For this reason, I have decided to abstain from voting if I am 100% sure that there’s a majority in Parliament for this Act. If for some reason this does not happen, then I wish to be at liberty to do whatever is necessary to let the will of the people prevail."
Mr Bonnici had been mentioned in reports as one of the MPs arguing within the Nationalist parliamentary group that Nationalist MPs should not vote in favour of divorce once the party executive had taken a position against divorce. Mr Bonnici denied he had argued in that way.
The MPs had argued that Nationalists should either abstain, or vote against.