Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party welcomed the European Parliament resolution on a proposed EU regulation that seeks to reduce the number of disputes over cross-border divorce judgments.

“This proposal will help to alleviate the hardship and bureaucracy of over 170,000 international couples divorcing in EU states every year,” stated Arnold Cassola, chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika.

AD said that it believes that the three Maltese MEPs present at the voting did well to vote in favour of this resolution, but AD remains flabbergasted at the declaration of MEP Simon Busuttil that by voting in favour “this does not mean we’re (PN) in favour of introducing divorce. However, in countries where divorce is available, couples should be allowed to choose which legislation should apply. Maltese law already recognises divorce given by a foreign court.”

“Such legalistic double speak and double standards should not be the hallmark of politicians,” concluded Prof. Cassola.

Alternattiva Demokratika said that the State and civil society should work for stronger families and to help reduce various strains which families face in their everyday life. At the same time, people whose marriage has failed should be given a chance to form new families which are recognised by the State, thus avoiding hardships and legal anomalies.

As things stand, families where at least one partner is separated from a previous marriage cannot regularise their situation and there is no legal framework which gives them rights and obligations towards each other. This is evident in areas such as property, taxation and income maintenance. It is ironic that many separated people believe in marriage, yet they are denied the basic right to marry, AD said.