"Yes to divorce" that is what 53.2% of the Maltese answered via referendum to the question: "Are you prepared to offer the possibility of divorce for married couples who are separated for four years when there is no reasonable likelihood of reconciliation and when the well being of children is assured? "

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, although has been a strong supporter of “no”, pledged to respect the vow issued on May 28 by his people "This is not the result I wanted but the will of the people must be respected". Parliament must now prepare a law allowing divorce but there is no indication of a certain date.

The defense of the “NO to divorce” was constituted by the nationalist party of Mr. Gonzi and, unofficially, but very active by the Catholic church, who asked to maintain the only two exceptions allowing the divorce in Malta, namely for the Maltese who obtained their divorce overseas and those who married a foreign.

Malta and theVatican are the only countries in Europe where divorce is prohibited.