‘No referendum for civil unions’ – Labour candidate

Labour candidate for MEP Cyrus Engerer has spoken out against any form of referendum that could abrogate a future regulating civil unions for gay couples.

Engerer issued a statement in the wake of an announcement by Christian evangelist Gordon-John Manché, claiming to have 10,000 signatures petitioning MPs not to introduce the civil unions law.

“The people gave this government a clear mandate on civil unions, and to make Malta a land of equality,” Engerer said. “Our country is moving in the right direction.”

Engerer was reportedly a former member of the evangelical movement led by Manché.

Engerer said the civil unions law could be a step forward for the country, creating an equal society that would be foremost amongst EU countries.

“Our society must realise today that the moral beliefs of others cannot stop a secular state from recognising the rights of various minorities. It would not be right that because of the agenda of some others, a large number of couples would have to wait even longer for the recognition of their relationship,” Engerer said.