From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A referendum on divorce was held in
Malta
on 28 May 2011. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new law to introduce allowing divorces, as at that time, Malta was one of only three countries in the world (along with the
Philippines
and the
Vatican City
)
[1]
in which divorce was not permitted.
[2]
The proposal was approved by 53% of voters, resulting in a law allowing divorce under certain conditions being enacted later in the year.
Background
[
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]
A
private member's bill
was tabled in the
House of Representatives
by
Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando
, then a
Nationalist
Member of Parliament and
Evarist Bartolo
, then a
Labour
Member of Parliament.
[3]
The text of the bill, which had been changed twice, did not provide for the holding of a referendum. This was eventually provided for through a separate Parliamentary resolution under the
Referenda Act
authorising a
facultative, non-binding referendum
to be held.
The Catholic Church in Malta encouraged a "no" vote through a
pastoral letter
issued on the Sunday before the referendum day.
[4]
Complaints were made that religious pressure was being brought to bear upon voters.
[5]
Around 8 per cent of marriages in Malta are already
annulled
by the Catholic Church.
[5]
Question
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Ballot papers had both English and
Maltese
questions printed on them. The English version of the question put to voters was as follows:
Do you agree with the introduction of the option of divorce in the case of a married couple who has been separated or has been living apart for at least four (4) years, and where there is no reasonable hope for reconciliation between the spouses, whilst adequate maintenance is guaranteed and the children are protected?
[6]
The question, which resembled the proposal approved by Irish voters in the
Irish divorce referendum of 1995
, was somewhat controversial. It was claimed that it did not reflect the content of the private member's bill.
[7]
Results
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Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
For
|
122,547
|
53.16
|
Against
|
107,971
|
46.84
|
Invalid/blank votes
|
2,173
|
?
|
Total
|
232,691
|
100
|
Registered voters/turnout
|
325,102
|
71.57
|
Source:
Department of Information
|
Although for the purposes of the referendum the whole country was regarded to be a single constituency - taking into account
electoral districts
- in only three out of the thirteen did the "no" vote reach a majority.
[1]
Aftermath
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Discussion on the divorce bill started in earnest soon after the result was announced. In the second and third readings a number of MPs still voted against the bill. Parliament approved the law on 25 July. The law came into effect on 1 October.
[8]
See also
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References
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