Alternattiva Demokratika said today that it welcomes the proposal, made in a resolution yesterday, for parliamentarians to vote in the House on divorce legislation.

"Elected representatives should stop being ambiguous and come out with a clear position on the issue," AD said.

PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier has moved a motion for the PN to take a position against divorce and for MPs to vote on the issue in Parliament. A vote for the introduction of divorce would have to be confirmed in a referendum.

Michael Briguglio, AD chairman, said: "The PN motion that states that Parliament should, as soon as possible, discuss the Bill for the introduction of divorce legislation is finally a step in the right direction. The calling of a referendum on such an issue, without a vote in parliament, was an abdication of the functions of the political parties and of the parliamentarians elected by the people. Parliamentarians have a duty to take an open stand on such an issue, a stand that can be clearly seen by the electorate. As things stand now, with all the political contortions by certain parliamentarians, a clear majority for divorce legislation is not assured. People are now realising that their vote in elections really has an effect on the positions taken by parliament. It is now more than ever crystal clear that it is only the presence of AD in parliament that could guarantee a
yes vote for divorce legislation".

Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, AD spokesman on civil rights, added: "While the PN motion states that "that no political party in Malta has the electoral mandate to propose legislation for the introduction of divorce", AD has been the only consistent party with a proposal for divorce legislation in its electoral manifesto for the past 19 years. AD respects people as adults who are able to make their own decisions affecting their lifes. I appeal to all parliamentarians to vote in favour of the introduction of divorce legislation, as this can give a second chance to those persons who are enduring emotional and/or physical suffering, including children, who are the major victims of existing marriage breakdowns".

Prof. Arnold Cassola, AD spokesman on EU and International Affairs, added that it was now time for all MPs to live up to their responsibilities and take a clear position on divorce legislation, according to their conscience, without resorting to political calculations - as some had already done.

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