The Nationalist Party is not yet commenting on the proposed legal changes to abortion laws in cases where the mother's life is at risk, saying that it will do so after the legal amendments are published and discussed within the party.

On Wednesday, the government announced its intention to table a motion in Parliament introducing a new clause which it says will clarify the legal position of the caring medical professional and the mother when a medical complication, which would put the mother's life at risk or her health in grave jeopardy, arises due to the pregnancy. This will be achieved through the introduction of an exemption which clarifies that the termination of a pregnancy to safeguard the health of the mother through a medical intervention, as agreed upon by medical professionals, will not be considered as a crime, the government said.

The bill however has not yet been published, and is expected to be tabled on Monday.

Asked for the PN's position on the government's proposal, whether it is in favour of such a legal amendment and whether the PN will back the bill once tabled, a PN spokesperson said: "Since nothing has been published yet by the government, Partit Nazzjonalista will be able to comment on the proposed amendments once these are published and discussed at the appropriate fora within the party and Parliamentary Group."