Women Should Not Have To Petition PM Over Abortion Jail Pardons, Says Partit Momentum

In a statement, Partit Momentum condemned recent statements by Prime Minister Robert Abela in which the party said he suggested women facing jail time for abortion should ‘petition him directly for a pardon.’

‘This irresponsible stance reduces the Office of the Prime Minister to that of a medieval feudal baron, prioritising the centralisation of power over just and democratic laws.’

The party said parliament has the responsibility and authority to establish clear legal frameworks to ensure that imprisonment is strictly excluded in such cases.

‘Forcing citizens to rely on the arbitrary mercy of one man is a circumvention of our democratic institutions and a blatant power grab that both pro-choice and pro-life advocates should unite in condemning.’

‘Momentum considers the issue of abortion to be a profoundly personal matter of conscience. Our candidates represent a diverse cross-section of society and naturally hold differing personal positions on the subject,’ added the party.

‘While opinions on the morality of the procedure vary widely across the political spectrum, it is obvious that threatening women with incarceration is not a solution to such a deeply complex issue.’

Partit Momentum said that, if elected, it would guarantee a free vote on matters of conscience, such as abortion, as that on such intimate matters, elected representatives must be free to vote according to their conscience without fear of party retribution.’

#MaltaDaily