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PN ‘divorce’ meeting sheds light on the ideological battle for the party’s soul
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expresses surprise at the private member’s bill presented by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando
The Nationalist party’s parliamentary group today resolved to launch a “serious internal discussion” on the private member’s bill presented by backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.
The first signs of an intra-party ideological battle were evident throughout the three-hour meeting, sources noted, as backbenchers appeared to rally behind Pullicino Orlando, while a more conservative faction is being anchored by ministers Tonio Borg and Tonio Fenech, and parliamentary secretary Jason Azzopardi.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the group that he “never expected” that such a bill would have been presented. He said that he expected to be informed beforehand of such a move, undoubtedly referring to Pullicino Orlando’s spectacular coup yesterday.
Borg, Fenech and Azzopardi stressed their belief that the PN’s values were Christian-democratic, and should not stray an inch from these values by supporting a divorce bill.
Pullicino Orlando made his final submissions at the end of the meeting, by calling for a discussion that is steered beyond religious beliefs and to take into consideration the realities surrounding Maltese society.
No decision has been taken on matters related to free votes or positions on the bill itself.
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Gonzi refered to the party's christian democratic ideals.
Yea right, are they not in tune with those of the Christian Democrats of Italy.?
Alfred Galea •
Lord Thunderin Jayzus, doesn't Malta Today have a better picture of the PM of the country??
Edwind, maybe the we in Dick's "we are all against divorce" are the same we in your " we are all sick and tired......".
Keith Goodlip •
Since when did GonziPN and his cronies have a soul?
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Mr Borg, Mr Fenech, Mr Azzopardi and all the othermembers of parliament who think alike please note that you were elected by the Maltese people and not by the church therefore you are OBLIGED to respect the will of the people.
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Why r U making so much fuss about the bill of divorce presented by JPO. Ok we don't have divorce here in Malta but how many couples r seperated and He lives with a mistress SHE has another boyfriend so is this not like a divorce so what's all this FUSS
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Mr Richard Chetcuti states: We are all against divorce - who are we??
don't know this gentleman and neither interested in his beliefs
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Third line to be corrected and should read: by stating this was not in the
last election maifesto etc
shame on you Saintly MP's we will soon remember your names in time to come don't waste money and time calling at our homes you make us sick
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Richard Chetcuti: who are "we"? Unless you are using the Royal or pontifical plural, then you have no right to speak for anyone but yourself. The decision of the PN parliamentary group, whether reached by consensus or imposition, is nothing but another delaying tactic by those who absolutely refuse to countenance the possibility of divorce legislation. The PL leader and some of his MP's who were interviewed do not seem to be very resolute either. What a circus! Most of them care only for their own political survival or for imposing their religious beliefs on the rest of the population. What is there to discuss that has not yet been exhaustively disussed inside out for many decades by the rest of the world? And then the hints at a referendum, the ultimate weapon to thwart the iter of a divorce law! What a terrible miscalculation to be born in this sad little theocracy of bigots and opportunists!
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Mr Prime Minister quit playing with our mentality and adhere to Dr Pullicino
Orlando in getting this Bill passed once and for all - we are sick and tired of you all playing like Saints and don't try to fool us by stating this was in the
last election manifesto as your party has passed lots of new laws which were never stated at the time - Divorce is a human right to whoever wants a second and legal chance - The so called faithfull have every right not to agree so they can keep thier heavenly marriage to them
we are the laughing stock of Europe on this subject or do not all EU regulations are shared by all member nations??
Politics and Church are two different natures we are in 2010 and not
medivial times and laws are corrected accordingly - Hon Dr Gonzi time is passing and elections will knock on the door once more
both other parties PL and Alternative Democratica agree on this subject
you have no right to run our lives absolutely none
Frans Laus •
@ Richard Chetcuti
Who are the "we" you are referring to please?
Luke Camilleri •
I knew of the kind of heart Dr. Gonzi professed to have, that with which he enjoyes increasing surcharges on W& E bills but a Soul? That takes some believing!
Martin Scicluna •
We are all against divorce. Hope all members of Parliament vote against
