Volt – Malta’s “progressive party,” which seeks to fight for “equal opportunity, a fair economy and clean governance” – has stated their position that the “changes to the abortion bill go one step forward and two steps back”.

“Volt finds it bizarre that under the changes to the bill, if a pregnant person’s life is already at risk of death, three doctors still have to approve a procedure for a life-saving abortion.”

The party reiterated its call for the decriminalisation and legislation of abortion. 

Volt wants abortion to be treated “as an essential healthcare procedure” – rather than treating it as some sort of elective procedure which requires the sign-off of several doctors.

“Volt is deeply disappointed in the Government, for having missed a golden opportunity to bring about meaningful change in reproductive rights.”

“Instead, it somehow found a way to make things worse.”

From the opposite “pro-life” perspective, a similar sentiment to Volt’s was echoed by the coalition of NGOs “in favour of life”.

The coalition of NGOs does not regard this announcement as the “introduction of abortion”.

“No to abortion wins,” began a statement issued by the organisation. 

“The amendment does not introduce abortion to Malta but will codify the existing life-saving practices currently being applied in Malta, and provide further safeguards for mothers, unborn babies, and doctors.”

“The voice of the people of Malta has been very clear: we are a pro-life nation, valuing every life, the mother that deserves our utmost protection especially when in difficulty, the unborn child that today we have saved, thanks to this new version of the legislation, we will continue to do this” said Dr Miriam Sciberras, CEO of Life Network Foundation. 

Evidently, Sciberras does not feel that the “pro-life” side has ceded any ground.

ADPD released their own reaction to the news. 

“ADPD appreciates that the Government announced a compromise proposal for the abortion debate – but would have expected it to be bolder in its position.”

The Green Party Chairperson Sandra Gauci said that the government position “could have been a little bolder”. 

This could have taken the form of taking “steps to decriminalise abortion – as well as permit it in the case of incest or rape as well as in the case of a non-viable pregnancy”.

Gauci reasserted that ADPD was the only political party that spoke clearly about abortion in its electoral manifesto.

Two sides of the same disappointing coin:

The Nationalist Party also responded to this news. 

“The amendment that the Government presented earlier today is the victory of life over those who want to introduce abortion in our country. The amendment means another u-turn by the Government of Robert Abela.”

The PN stance, which many will find rather disappointing – particularly coming from a supposed “opposition” party – is that this amendment is good news for “life”, but that it was delivered poorly by Robert Abela’s government and its lack of consistency on the issue. 

“The PN has always been consistent, insisting that the laws of our country should offer legal certainty and protection for pregnant women, unborn babies and professionals in the health field in case an intervention is necessary to save the life of the mother who is in clear danger.”

“The PN and Parliamentary Group unanimously consider the amendment brought forward by the Government earlier today as a victory for life.” 

“With the approval of this amendment by Parliament it will be declared that abortion should not enter our country.”

Making abortion difficult to access does not stop abortion from happening. It just makes it less safe.

Some doctors in Malta know the importance of providing safe and secure access to abortion. 

Imagine your life was in danger, but one of the three doctors who needed to sign off on your abortion being necessary didn’t support abortion.

What would you do?

Imagine that the life you wanted to live was in danger of being changed forever, but because it wasn’t going to literally kill you, you just had to grin and bear it.

Would that be fair? 

This brand new announcement is already antiquated in scope. Abortion is healthcare. Keeping it from legality won’t stop it. This isn’t what keeping the Maltese population safe looks like.

What do you make of the amendment?