Social democrats Pulse exhort students to vote for divorce

The document outlines the social, economic, legal and political aspects of divorce so that students can make an informed decision on the introduction of laws that will influence generations to come. 

They conclude that although people go into marriage with the intention of being with the same partner for life, real life is not always so simple and the law needs to cater for marital breakdown which will allow civil rights to all. 

Whilst agreeing that divorce laws should not be implemented just because they are commonplace in Europe, Pulse says that it is the principle of civil rights for people living in marital breakdown that should see the introduction of divorce. 

Divorce should always be taken responsibly and should only occur when there has been four or more years of legal separation, there has been failure at reconciliation, and maintenance needs of dependents of the family are taken into consideration. 

Pro-divorce movement IVA has called on university students to vote in favour of the “common good” in a referendum on the introduction of divorce.

Spokesperson Deborah Schembri compared the responsibility facing students to that of previous students in 1997 who attended public protests over the removal of stipends, even though students at the time had a guaranteed stipend. "It was future generations of students that were at the heart of the protests and similarly it is important for students today to vote in favour of divorce to ensure a better future for future generations." 

Schembri told an audience of some 30 university students that what harmed people more than marital breakdown itself was the state of conflict throughout separation. “Divorce won’t change much for children, but the ones born outside the first marriage will be born into a legitimate family.”

Schembri appealed to students to vote in the referendum even if this will be held in the middle of exams.

Also present were Altenattiva Demokratika chairperson Michael Briguglio and divorce bill promoter Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

Social-democract students’ group Pulse presented a 15-page document arguing in favour of “more civil rights”, saying the divorce bill being proposed did not offer an ‘overnight, Las Vegas divorce’.