Recognition of same-sex unions in Malta
Encyclopedia
Malta does not currently legally recognise same-sex unions. However, in the past few years, there is increasing debate on the issue.
None of the parties supported same-sex marriage. However, all of them supported recognition of same-sex unions to some extent. The governing Nationalist Party
supports extending some rights to cohabitating same-sex couples. The Labour Party supports recognising "same-sex families and partnerships", although it is unknown whether this would be in the form of unregistered cohabitation
or registered partnership. National Action
supports civil partnerships that would grant to same sex-couples some of the rights extended to married couples, not including welfare benefits. Democratic Alternative/Greens
supports civil partnerships providing all of the rights of marriage.
On March 28, 2010, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that the government was working on a bill to regulate cohabitation. He said it was hoped the bill would be completed by the end of the year. On July 11, Gonzi confirmed that the bill would be presented in parliament by the end of 2010. However, this has since been delayed and the bill is expected to be presented before Parliament in October 2011.
poll conducted in 2006 showed Malta at 18% support for same-sex marriage
.
However, support among young people appears to be much higher. An October 2009 poll showed that 49% of university students supported same-sex marriage, while 35% were opposed and 16% were undecided. A poll conducted in October 2011 found that 56.5% of university students supported same-sex marriage.
Political party viewpoints
Before the 2008 elections, the Malta Gay Rights Movement sent a survey to all major political parties asking them for their views on the recognition of same-sex unions.None of the parties supported same-sex marriage. However, all of them supported recognition of same-sex unions to some extent. The governing Nationalist Party
Nationalist Party (Malta)
The Nationalist Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in Malta, along with the Labour Party. It was founded by Fortunato Mizzi in 1880 as the Anti-Reform Party, opposing taxation decreed by the British colonial authorities and measures to Anglicise the educational and the...
supports extending some rights to cohabitating same-sex couples. The Labour Party supports recognising "same-sex families and partnerships", although it is unknown whether this would be in the form of unregistered cohabitation
Cohabitation
Cohabitation usually refers to an arrangement whereby two people decide to live together on a long-term or permanent basis in an emotionally and/or sexually intimate relationship. The term is most frequently applied to couples who are not married...
or registered partnership. National Action
National Action (Malta)
National Action was a right-wing Maltese political party active between 2007 and 2010.-History:The party was founded in June 2007, the two most prominent founders being Josie Muscat, a medical doctor and entrepreneur and a former MP of the Nationalist Party, and real estate magnate Anġlu Xuereb...
supports civil partnerships that would grant to same sex-couples some of the rights extended to married couples, not including welfare benefits. Democratic Alternative/Greens
Democratic Alternative (Malta)
The Democratic Alternative is a Green political party in Malta, particularly dedicated to environmentalism.-History:Democratic Alternative was founded in 1989 when former Malta Labour Party President Toni Abela and former Labour MP and Parliamentary whip Wenzu Mintoff joined a number of...
supports civil partnerships providing all of the rights of marriage.
On March 28, 2010, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that the government was working on a bill to regulate cohabitation. He said it was hoped the bill would be completed by the end of the year. On July 11, Gonzi confirmed that the bill would be presented in parliament by the end of 2010. However, this has since been delayed and the bill is expected to be presented before Parliament in October 2011.
Public opinion
A EurostatEurostat
Eurostat is a Directorate-General of the European Commission located in Luxembourg. Its main responsibilities are to provide the European Union with statistical information at European level and to promote the integration of statistical methods across the Member States of the European Union,...
poll conducted in 2006 showed Malta at 18% support for same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
.
However, support among young people appears to be much higher. An October 2009 poll showed that 49% of university students supported same-sex marriage, while 35% were opposed and 16% were undecided. A poll conducted in October 2011 found that 56.5% of university students supported same-sex marriage.