Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1527188
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS NATIONALIST Party leader Bernard Grech insisted on hav- ing a "respectful dialogue" on abortion and what he termed as other divisive issues. During a radio interview with Andrew Azzopardi on RTK103 on Saturday, Grech, however re- iterated that the PN had made its position clear on abortion. The party has it etched in its statute that it will protect life from "conception", which has been interpreted as having a strict anti-abortion stand. The PN had opposed an original amendment to Malta's strict an- ti-abortion regime proposed by the government that suggested termination of pregnancy would be possible if a woman's life or health is in danger. The Opposition only agreed with the amendment when gov- ernment recanted and limited abortion only in circumstances where a woman's life is at risk. Grech was speaking on the same day that women and pro-choice activists gathered in Valletta for the annual abortion rights rally. The Voice for Choice coalition renewed its call for reproductive justice and the decriminalisation of abortion. Abortion remains illegal in Malta and punishable by up to four years in prison. Doctors risk losing their warrant to prac- tice medicine. A termination of pregnancy is only allowed if the woman's life is at risk and after approval is sought from a medi- cal panel. Grech insisted people knew were they stood with the PN but accused political rivals of using abortion "for their political con- venience". "We can disagree on a hundred things, but on what we agree, let's work together," he said. Grech also reiterated calls from social partners for the govern- ment to adopt a new economic model but said that the prime minister is being stubborn on the issue. "We have a government that is unable to take action, and as a result only takes action where it bests suits them," he said. Grech also touched on violence against police officials after two officers were brutally attacked in their line of duty. He called out the police commissioner for failing to take action and said the government's position was hypo- critical on the matter. "The Prime Minister should see that the police are well-trained and that they are given all the necessary respect," he said. Grech said a Nationalist gov- ernment could build a better fu- ture for the country. "A future where the govern- ment understands the people's realities and implements solu- tions," he said. Bernard Grech urges respectful dialogue on abortion but PN remains against Bernard Grech during a radio interview with Andrew Azzopardi on RTK103 JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt