Members of the Nationalist Party youth section (MŻPN) met representatives of both sides of the divorce debate to help form their opinions before their party takes a stand on Saturday.

The original plan was to organise separate meetings with Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who authored the divorce Private Member’s Bill, and Transport Minister Austin Gatt, who has come out strongly against it. But since Dr Pullicino Orlando was abroad, he sent representatives from the Yes Movement, including Alternattiva Demokratika spokesman Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros, former Nationalist minister Michael Falzon and chairman Deborah Schembri.

Sources who attended the meetings on Monday said Dr Gatt was better received and “more convincing” while the members of the pro-divorce lobby were said to have been “defensive” when answering questions.

Made up of 15 active members, the youth section is represented on the PN’s executive committee by three members.

The party’s executive committee meets this Saturday for a final time to discuss and vote on a resolution about divorce. It is understood the MŻPN members will vote against. But they are also expected to air the diverse views of the rest of the youth section members who have been asked to send their feedback throughout the week.

After the party takes a stand, the discussion within the youth section will continue and will possibly take its own stand. Although it has no obligation to back the stand of the party, sources said most members of MŻPN were against divorce, so the stand is likely to be mirror that of the PN, perhaps leaving more space for interpretation.