The Prime Minister is hoping the Opposition leader accepts his invitation to meet to discuss and compromise on the proposed divorce referendum question.

Yesterday evening, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi sought agreement on the divorce referendum question and the referendum date in a letter he sent Opposition leader Joseph Muscat.

In his letter, Dr Gonzi proposed two amendments to a motion presented by the Opposition calling for the House to debate on Tuesday a motion calling for a referendum on the introduction of divorce.

Dr Gonzi’s amendments were on the timeline – while the opposition proposed that the referendum should be held within 40 days of the publication of the writ, Dr Gonzi proposed it is held on May 28.

Dr Gonzi also proposed a straightforward question of whether or not one agreed on the introduction of divorce.

The Prime Minister told timesofmalta.com this morning he hoped the Opposition leader would accept his invitation to meet and discuss the matter. His aim for the meeting was for an agreement on the procedure because there was already agreement that a referendum should be held.

Dr Gonzi said he would have personally preferred to go for a referendum after there was a clear bill the people would be able to vote upon. As the situation was now, the people would be going for a referendum without parameters.

“I have serious difficulties on the question, which I hope I will be able to discuss with the Opposition leader and get to a compromise.”