Momentum condemns PM's 'feudal approach' to abortion cases
'Forcing citizens to rely on the arbitrary mercy of one man is a circumvention of our democratic institutions'
Momentum has slammed Robert Abela's statement that he would be willing to seek a Cabinet review that could lead to less severe punishment for a woman handed a suspended sentence after being found guilty of abortion.
Abela was referring to a case heard in court on Wednesday in which a woman received a suspended sentence after admitting to terminating her pregnancy.
On Friday, Momentum strongly condemned the prime minister's suggestion that women facing jail time for abortion should be forced to 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, Momentum said, possesses the authority and responsibility 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," it added.
Momentum said it considers the issue of abortion to be a profoundly personal matter of conscience.
Its candidates represent a diverse cross-section of society and naturally hold differing personal positions on the subject.
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, the party believes.
"Because we respect these diverse viewpoints, Momentum approaches this issue not with a rigid partisan mandate, but with a commitment to democratic freedom.
"If elected, Momentum guarantees a free vote on matters of conscience, such as abortion. We believe that on matters of such intimate personal and moral weight, elected representatives must be free to vote according to their conscience, without fear of party retribution."
Momentum urged Abela to abandon political theatre and to put the debate in parliament for a sincere discussion and update the laws.
"We believe that women should not be used as pawns to consolidate executive power," the party said.