AD - MPs have a duty to take stand on divorce bill in parliament
Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party has welcomed the PN motion that the parliamentarians should vote in parliament on divorce legislation.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, stated: "The PN motion that states that Parliament should, as soon as possible, discuss the Bill for the introduction of divorce legislation is finally a step in the right direction.
“The calling of a referendum on such an issue, without a vote in parliament, was an abdication of the functions of the political parties and of the parliamentarians elected by the people. Parliamentarians have a duty to take an open stand on such an issue, a stand that can be clearly seen by the electorate.”
Briguglio said that as things stand now, “with all the political contortions by certain parliamentarians” a clear majority for divorce legislation is not assured. “People are now realising that their vote in elections really has an effect on the positions taken by parliament. It is now more than ever crystal clear that it is only the presence of AD in parliament that could guarantee a yes vote for divorce legislation.”
Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, AD spokesperson on civil rights, added: "While the PN motion states that ‘that no political party in Malta has the electoral mandate to propose legislation for the introduction of divorce’, AD has been the only consistent party with a proposal for divorce legislation in its electoral manifesto for the past 19 years.
“AD respects people as adults who are able to make their own decisions affecting their lives. I appeal to all parliamentarians to vote in favour of the introduction of divorce legislation, as this can give a second chance to those persons who are enduring emotional and/or physical suffering, including children, who are the major victims of existing marriage breakdowns.”
Prof. Arnold Cassola, AD spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, stated: “It is now time for all MPs to live up to their responsibilities and take a clear position on divorce legislation, according to their conscience, without resorting to political calculations – as some have already done – by throwing their beliefs and principles to the dogs just to be able to cling to their seat in parliament.”
