The chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika, Arnold Cassola, welcomed the declaration by Prime Minister Gonzi that he is prepared to give the go-ahead to the start of the divorce debate.
“Alternattiva Demokratika has had divorce on its political agenda since 1992. A few weeks ago the new leader of the MLP, Dr Joseph Muscat, expressed his agreement on the introduction of legislation on divorce in Malta. It is now heartening to see that even the Prime Minister is recognising that Alternattiva Demokratika’s 16-year-old request is a valid issue to be discussed immediately.”
Stephen Cachia, AD spokesperson for Democratic Institutions and Civil Rights, stated: “This debate on divorce legislation is long overdue. Unfortunately, Maltese society has undergone enormous changes in the past decades and today over one third of children attending primary schools are living with single parents.
“Whilst divorce will not help to set right a marriage that has not worked out, it will at least give the individuals involved the possibility to start a new married life, and will give some social order to the complicated marital and extra-marital situations which our country is facing today,” Cachia said.