WATCH | Gonzi gives MPs free vote on divorce bill, parliament to debate in coming days

Additional reporting by Miriam Dalli

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has given his MPs a free vote on the divorce bill, according to the first backbencher to emerge from the PN’s parliamentary group meeting today.

“We have been given a free vote,” Stephen Spiteri said. “We looked at the way the government will approach this issue and decided to pass the bill as soon as possible. It was a peaceful meeting.”

Emerging from Castille, Gonzi said discussion on the bill would start in the next days but ignored questions on the free vote or whether he would vote in favour of the bill.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi today met his MPs to discuss the next step in the debate on a divorce bill that yesterday was approved by referendum, and will now have to be approved in parliament.

“Excuse me ladies and gentlemen, I have a parliamentary group meeting and it is important that we have our own time within which to discuss,” the prime minister told reporters as he was asked on how he would vote on the divorce legislation.

Similarly, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Austin Gatt, a vocifierous opponent of the law, did not answer questions from the media. “Everyone has been asking all day long. Calm down!” he joked as he strode into the building.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, whose district showed the strongest opposition to divorce, told journalists she would be “consistent with what I have said so far”.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech was also tight-lipped, ignoring all questions about whether he still planned to stick to his ‘no’ vote on divorce, and barged past journalists and cameramen alike. “We have a parliamentary group meeting.”

Nationalist MP Beppe Fenech Adami was more forthcoming: “We need to see that the people’s will must be respected,” the MP said, who previously declared he would be voting against the bill. “This does not mean that I will vote yes. For the will of the people to pass, a parliamentary majority is needed,” he said.

He avoided answering questions about whether he would be abstaining instead of voting against, and that the issue needs to be discussed within the PM parliamentary group.

Divorce bill promoter Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando however said that those MPs who did not respect the referendum result would no longer represent the electorate.

“A member elected by the public does not keep representing the public if he or she votes against the will of the people. That is then a judgment that the electorate makes in the next election,” he said.

Asked if he thought there were Nationalist MPs who planned to vote against the divorce bill, Pullicino Orlando said: “I cannot answer to that.”

He said any negative reactions to the referendum result would only be made towards the message sent by the people. “Besides the thousands who voted yes, there were many who also wanted to vote yes but felt forced to abstain or vote no due to exaggerated pressures that were put on them.”

Asked if he felt that the PN should change is position on divorce, he said only that “my position on divorce was always clear.” Asked however if he still feels comfortable within the PN, he said that he had militated within the PN since an early age, and that he would continue to do so.

He also said the yes result was due to the many Nationalist supporters who voted in favour of divorce.

Former minister Jesmond Mugliett reconfirmed that he would respect the vote of the people. Asked if there were points within the law that needed to be discussed further he said that the bill could be fine-tuned.

“I were instead of those MPs who have conscience issues about voting in favour of divorce legislation, I would not do more than abstain.”

Asked whether he would rather if the PN changed its position on divorce, he said “I cannot speak for the Nationalist party.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said MPs should follow Gonzi’s lead, while Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici pleaded jokingly with the media to be allowed to enter the building – however dodging questions on his previous opposition to the introduction of divorce legislation.

Tourism Minister Mario de Marco said only that the MPs voting would be under discussion in the upcoming meeting. Asked if he had an opinion, de Marco said “I have an opinion, but I will express it on that day.”

In his comments, Nationalist MP and former minister Censu Galea said he had not declared a position against. “I declared that I would pay attention to what the people decide.”

Parliamentary Whip David Aguis also said he would respect the people’s decision. “In my capacity as a parliamentary whip… we have to come into agreement with the Opposition on how this bill will be discussed in parliament. Eventually it will also arrive at a committee stage, and then go through its third reading.”

Asked if he would vote yes on the bill, Agius said that there are circumstances that need to be taken into account, and there could be voting at different stages of the bill.

“One cannot agree with every thing there might be, but yes I agree with the best will that we can fashion and pass through parliament. My conscience tells me that the will of the people in a democratic referendum must be respected.”

Asked if he felt that every MP should follow suit, Aguis said that every MP has “their own maturity, conscience, and responsibility, and should make their own decisions.”