Bernard Grech Only Mocked Prudente Because She Is Foreign, PL Deputy Leader Says As He Pledges To Wait Outside Parliament During Vote
PL deputy leader Daniel Micallef had strong words for Bernard Grech after the Opposition Leader mocked American tourist Andrea Prudente in Parliament last night.
“I couldn’t believe my ears,” Micallef commented. “An Opposition Leader literally mocked a woman who found herself in trouble during her pregnancy, which was deemed unviable. He probably felt comfortable mocking her because she is foreign, but deep down he would think the same thing if she had happened to be yourself, your wife, your daughter or your granddaughter.”
In Parliament last night, Grech tore into Prudente in light of her constitutional case against the Maltese authorities for denying her an abortion when she suffered a miscarriage last summer.
“Her surname is Prudente, but as I already said, I think the doctors were more prudent than her,” he said.
Prudente’s case has promoted the government to propose a bill that would legally allow doctors to terminate pregnancies if they believe the mother’s life or health is at risk. However, the Opposition has pledged to vote against it on the grounds that the bill’s vague wording risks introduce abortion by stealth.
Micallef warned that Grech’s Parliament speech last night “continues fomenting a climate of omertà and fear” on abortion, even though an estimated 300-400 Maltese women terminate their pregnancies every year.
“His speech will increase the stigma on the topic. Rather than woman being helped to feel comfortable seeking help during tough moments, they are being told to shut themselves off and feel isolated.”
“Abortion will remain illegal if this legal amendment passes, but I have no patience or tolerance for this kind of hypocrisy and speeches which throws society 50 years backwards.”
“I understand and respect different opinions, indeed I actively seek them out to challenge my own thoughts, but ridiculing a tragedy doesn’t deserve any respect.”
“I believe in a country where women aren’t objects for legal interpretation and certain elements that call themselves ‘pro-life’ should better call themselves ‘anti-women’, because that is the undertone.”
“This amendment will act as a legal safeguard for women and doctors when it comes to a longstanding medical practice. If we trusted them until yesterday, I don’t understand why we should cast doubt on them now.”
Micallef concluded by pledging to stand outside Parliament when the bill reaches its vote stage to show his support for MPs who vote in favour of it.
“Even if I’m alone, I will be outside Parliament to show my support to those politicians who aren’t ready to sit back and do nothing when faced with a legal anomaly.”
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