Alternattiva Demokratika has written to all MPs, urging them to start debating divorce in Parliament.

AD chairman Michael Briguglio said the Nationalist and Labour parliamentarians' reluctance to act on the issue only served to confirm that they were either cut off from the reality of thousands of people or else were not ready to discuss the issue.

Earlier this month, AD wrote to the Parliament Social Affairs Committee on the subject. Mr Briguglio said: "AD has invited all members of Parliament to start debating divorce. In addition, lack of action from Labour parliamentarians will also confirm that Labour is taking everyone for a ride with its 'free vote' proposal. All those who require the right to divorce deserve to be given a sound reason."

He added that it was unfortunate that the Nationalist parliamentary group was refusing to read the signs of the times.

AD spokesman for civil rights Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer said it was shameful that Parliament had not yet started debating a basic civil right such as divorce.

"The PN and PL are doing a big disservice to all those who would like to get married again. In spite of their rhetoric on the family, the PN and PL duopoly is (preventing) people from getting married."

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