VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela has ruled out the introduction of abortion in Malta, saying his government has no mandate to legislate on the issue or call a referendum. Speaking on ONE TV, Abela dismissed suggestions that abortion reform could be considered during his administration. “We have no mandate to introduce abortion,” he said.
His remarks came a day after activists gathered outside the law courts in Valletta, demanding the decriminalisation of abortion. Abela, however, criticised a recent court judgment that handed a 28-year-old woman a 22-month suspended prison sentence for undergoing a medical abortion. He said the woman had not taken her decision “capriciously” and argued the case raised broader questions of justice.
The case reignited debate in Malta, the only EU member state with an almost complete ban on abortion. According to the 2025 European Abortion Policy Atlas, Malta ranked second lowest among 53 countries surveyed, scoring just 3.7%. The only country scoring lower was Andorra.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
