Prime Minister Joseph Muscat addressing a press conference yesterday. Photo: Matthew MirabelliPrime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday hailed the introduction of civil unions, saying that 10 years after membership Malta had truly embraced European values.
He said that ironically the PN, which had campaigned for EU membership, was this time on the wrong side of history as it had abstained when the Bill was put to the vote.
“PN leader Simon Busuttil buckled under the pressure of the conservative forces within his party,” he said.
Speaking at the party headquarters in a news conference to mark Monday’s historic vote, the Prime Minister said that the PL once again proved to be the agent of change.
Dr Muscat criticised the stance adopted by the Opposition, arguing that it had learnt nothing following the introduction of divorce, to the point that this time around its leader did not have the courage to take a stand, unlike Lawrence Gonzi.
He said that none of the amendments tabled by the Opposition would have given more rights to gay people and so were not supported by the government.
He also criticised the PN for seemingly contradicting itself, as immediately after Monday’s vote it supported constitutional amendments intended to guard against any form of sexual discrimination.
“Simon Busuttil acted like Pontius Pilate and was weak as he was afraid to give a free vote to the Opposition MPs,” he said.
The Prime Minister refuted claims that gay adoptions were introduced by stealth in the Civil Unions Bill, saying that he had announced his plan at the height of the election campaign.
He argued that the option suggested by the Opposition, of legislating in favour of civil unions without any reference to the issue of gay adoption, would have led to discrimination against same-sex couples.
This is not simply a question of minority rights but an issue of what kind of society we want to live it
Dr Muscat said the party had been discussing this issue for years, citing the decision of former Labour MP Adrian Vassallo, who prior to the last general election, decided to bow out of politics.
Dr Muscat said that Dr Vassallo’s decision was the result of his disagreement with the stance adopted by the PL.
“I had made it very clear to all Labour candidates that if they had any issue with core pledges listed in the manifesto, their option was to withdraw their nomination as this was our plan if elected to government.”
Dr Muscat said the PN had traditionally opposed change, citing its objection to universal suffrage 70 years ago, against decriminalisation of homosexuality in the early 1970s and, most recently, civil unions.
He said that legislating in favour of same-sex couples was the natural step forward for the country.
“This is not simply a question of minority rights but an issue of what kind of society we want to live in,” he said.
Dr Muscat expressed his conviction that in a few years’ time civil unions and gay adoptions would no longer be an issue as they would have become universally accepted.