Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has not yet taken a decision on how he will vote on the contentious divorce Bill but different factions of his party are pressuring him to take their side.

Like Transport Minister Austin Gatt, MP Beppe Fenech Adami yesterday told The Sunday Times he will be voting No to be consistent with what he has been saying about divorce from the outset of the debate.

Asked how the Prime Minister should vote, he said: “I believe he should vote No to be consistent with what he has been saying for the past three months and earlier,” adding, however, that he would not decide for Dr Gonzi.

Dr Fenech Adami said that as things stood, his decision would not endanger the Bill being sanctioned in Parliament, in line with last weekend’s referendum result.

But if his vote was crucial, he would not vote Yes or abstain, and would instead “consider” resigning from Parliament.

“I think it is very dangerous for the Nationalist Party to change what it believes in on the basis of popular or temporary popular support... that is a very dangerous slippery slope,” he said, adding that democracy entails respecting the rights of the minority.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s brother, Michael Gonzi, yesterday issued a diametrically opposed statement, saying he will vote Yes even though he voted against divorce in the referendum.

“Following the result, my conscience is telling me to vote in favour,” Dr Gonzi, a popular doctor in St Paul’s Bay, said. “I spoke to my brother and he told me to go ahead and vote according to my conscience,” he added.

Their statements come in the wake of several other public statements made by members of the party, putting pressure on the Prime Minister to declare how he will vote, though he is likely to be criticised whatever decision he takes.

In an opinion article, MP Robert Arrigo said the Nationalist Party was committed to seeing the public’s decision through, adding: “I am sure (the Prime Minister) will keep his word with the people of Malta and Gozo, and lead by example.”

In a statement, MP Franco Debono said he decided to vote in favour of the Bill in Parliament “in full respect of the direct and unified expression of the collective will of the people in the referendum”.

Nationalist whip David Agius also committed himself to voting Yes, as did Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco – the only member of Cabinet to say so categorically.

Dr de Marco said yesterday: “While I have my personal reservations on the concept of a ‘no fault’ divorce, I recognise that as parliamentarians we should now concentrate on putting through a Bill that reflects the wishes of the people as expressed in the referendum.

“It was indeed us parliamentarians who opted to put the matter before the people to voice their opinion to us. In the circumstances, therefore, the result of the referendum cannot be ignored and must be respected…

“I, nevertheless, respect the decision of those parliamentarians who deem it opportune to vote against the proposed Bill or abstain, for personal reasons.”

Pro-divorce MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Jesmond Mugliett and Karl Gouder are voting Yes. MPs Joe Falzon and Jean-Pierre Farrugia are also expected to vote in favour.

With the support of at least 10 Nationalist MPs and the vast majority of Labour MPs (barring Adrian Vassallo who will vote against and Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca who will abstain), it seems the Bill will have a safe passage through Parliament, leading to the introduction of divorce in Malta. Party sources told The Sunday Times that if Dr Gonzi votes against the Bill, he is likely to be accused of not respecting the will of the majority and putting his own religious beliefs before those of the electorate.

On the other hand, if he votes in favour he may come across as inconsistent and anger the more staunchly anti-divorce members of his party, including Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and MP Edwin Vassallo.

Yesterday afternoon, Dr Gonzi released a statement saying it was his duty to ensure divorce legislation would be enacted and called for “reconciliation” between the various stakeholders.

Following consultation with his parliamentary group, Dr Gonzi said he knew there was a parliamentary majority in favour of the law. He stressed that MPs can vote Yes freely but he would also defend the right of those who choose to vote no or abstain.

However, he stopped short of saying how he would vote.

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