Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando is to move amendments to the PN resolution on divorce, declaring that the party should back the introduction of 'responsible divorce'.

The draft resolution, moved by party General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier yesterday, says the party should take a position 'in favour of the family and against the introduction of divorce'. The members of the party executive committee will be voting on the resolution on Saturday.

In his amendments, Dr Pullicino Orlando says that without removing the responsibilities which couples should have when they opt for cohabitation, the state should also consider the introduction of 'responsible divorce' which would lead to more order in society.

Referring to yesterday's resolution published by the PN, which had noted that according to a 2005 census, 60% of people were married and only 4% were separated or divorced, Dr Pullicino Orlando says in his amendment that these statistics are general and do not reflect the trends based on age. Eurostat figures for 2008 showed that the marital breakdown rate in Malta stood at 22.2%, which was higher than Italy or Ireland.

The amendment says that in view of this situation:

"The policy of the Nationalist Party will remain in favour of family unity based on a stable marriage. Nonetheless, the party recognises that there are situations where marriages irretrievable break down and people seek new relationships that should be considered families when the relationship is based on love and mutual respect.

"Therefore, without removing the obligations that cohabiting couples should have, the state should consider the introduction of a law for responsible divorce leading to more order in society."