The Nationalist Party this evening confirmed that it will be voting in favour of the Marriage Equality Bill, which will introduce gay marriage.

The party issued a statement following a meeting of its Parliamentary Group.

The Bill will be presented for its second and third readings next week. Parliament will be officially opened tomorrow but its first sitting will be held on Monday. Before the election both the main parties said they were in favour of gay marriage. The PN had previously abstained in the Civil Unions vote, citing concerns on adoptions by gay couples.

The PN said its decision reflected the pledge that was part of its electoral manifesto. It said, however, that its MPs will be presenting a number of amendments to improve the Bill.