JPO presents amendments to PN motion, 'State must consider divorce'

Nationalist MP and divorce bill promoter Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has presented amendments to a motion by the PN that declares the party’s position against the introduction of divorce (read full PN motion here).

Pullicino Orlando is proposing that the PN’s position grants the State “the choice to consider the introduction of a responsible law of divorce” for the creation of a more orderly society in the face of increasing marital breakdowns.

Specifically, he is asking for the substitution of clause 6 of the PN motion, which states the PN’s position against the introduction of divorce. Instead Pullicino Orlando’s amendment removes the PN’s declared opposition.

“Because of said reasons, the political position of the Nationalist Party is to be in favour of the unity of the family derived from stable marital relationships. However the party understands that in Malta a situation exists, wherein spouses of marriages that are irreparably broken are looking for a new relationship that is recognised as a family when this is based on reciprocal love and respect. Therefore, without removing the obligations of a couple that choose to cohabit, the State has the choice to consider that in these circumstances the introduction of a responsible law of divorce would grant more order in society.”

He also asks for an addition to Clause 5 which notes that NSO statistics from the 2005 census show “a large majority of healthy and durable marriages.”

Pullicino Orlando’s amendment asks that the following is added: “However, this general statistic does not reflect, for example, the state of marriages broken down by age. If one notes the Eurostat statistics of 2008, it is evident that the marital breakdown rate in our country, a figure of important relevance, is of 22.2%. This higher than countries of similar cultures to ours: Italy (20.7%) and Ireland (15.4%). Both countries permit divorce.”

Earlier this morning, Pullicino Orlando said he could not object to the main gist of the motion "in that we should give the maximum importance to the family."

The PN’s executive and parliamentary group will vote on the motion on Saturday

Asked about how the proposed motion places the PN firmly against divorce and hinges a referendum on the proposed divorce bill being passed in parliament, Pullicino Orlando said he could not object to this aspect. “From day one, I have said I want input from fellow MPs, and such a decision should receive the seal of approval by popular vote,” Pullicino Orlando said.

Asked whether the motion hinted at how the party seemed to be attempting to kill off the possibility of a divorce referendum, Pullicino Orlando was cautious. “All we have so far is a motion. I’m not saying it won’t be approved, but it hasn’t yet. We can talk about stands and positions after Saturday – anytime before would be jumping the gun,” he said.

He also declined to speculate on the PN’s fears that a referendum could turn up a majority of the population to vote in favour of the introduction of divorce. “I can’t reach the same conclusion, but the opinion polls conducted among the population have shown that the majority of the Maltese are in favour of responsible divorce.”

Former Nationalist minister Michael Falzon, who has joined Pullicino Orlando in the pro-divorce movement Iva, declined to comment on the matter.

Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Michael Briguglio, also a campaign member, welcomed the news that the PN would be taking a stand. “But if it takes a position against divorce, the PN is not reading the signs of the times and not recognising the large number of people separating and who want to reconstitute their lives by remarrying. It’s an outdated position.”

Briguglio said AD recognised the positive move that the PN was taking a stand, and that it would give MPs a free vote. “It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Labour has not yet taken a party stand in favour or against.”

Asked to comment on indications that the PN will kill off a referendum by voting down the bill in parliament, Briguglio reiterated his party’s stance against a referendum.

“We believe in the introduction of divorce as a civil right, and not through a referendum even though we are campaigning for a ‘yes’ vote in any eventual referendum. The PN’s move only shows that the only hope for divorce to be introduced in Malta is by having AD in parliament.”

Labour MP Evarist Bartolo described the PN’s motion as “unfair and insenstive”. “It includes ‘nice words’ about the family but they could have thought about the family when they increased electricity bills. Social policies heavily affect family’s strength and unity. It is insensitive because those who have money can obtain divorce from abroad, and whose marriage has failed cannot start a new life.”

Bartolo described the position as a U-turn by the prime minister. “First he was in favour of referendum since it was not part of any party’s electoral mandate. But now he is saying that if it doesn’t pass in parliament there will be no referendum.

“This statement will increase the pressure on the Nationalist MPs to vote against divorce as a one party. He has taken away the MPs’ free vote.”

Bartolo said that Gonzi had ‘listened’ to what former PM Eddie Fenech Adami, one of the main opponents of divorce, had earlier exhorted about leaving MPs to decided on divorce.