By MICAIAH BILGER
(LifeNews) — The president of Malta has said he will resign if forced to sign a bill legalizing the killing of unborn babies in abortions, sources close to him told the Times of Malta in late November.
President George Vella, a medical doctor by profession, made the comment in response to legislation moving through Parliament that pro-life leaders warn would legalize abortion on demand by “stealth.”
Although lawmakers say the intent of the bill is to clarify that abortions are allowed when the mother’s life is at risk, pro-life leaders say the language is too broad and elective abortions also would be allowed. Malta is one of the few countries in Europe that protects unborn babies’ right to life.
Vella, who holds strong pro-life views, has not commented publicly about the bill, but sources close to him said he privately expressed concerns about a broad “health” exception, according to the report.
“You have either killed or not killed, there can be no half-death. I’m very clear, there are no ifs and buts,” he said in 2021 in response to a different pro-abortion bill.
If the bill passes and Vella resigns, it would be a historic statement in defense of unborn babies’ right to life. No president has ever resigned in the history of Malta, the Times reports.
However, according to the news outlet, the president basically has “no executive power, essentially obliging the holder to sign whichever law is approved by a democratically elected parliament. If Vella opts to resign, the bill could be signed by the acting president unless he chooses to wait for a new president’s appointment.”
Maltese pro-life leaders support exceptions for abortion when the mother’s life is at risk, but they said the bill goes too far by allowing abortions for broad “health” reasons. In the United Kingdom and other countries, the term “health” is very broadly defined in abortion laws to include basically anything; some abortionists say pregnancy itself is a “health risk,” therefore justifying the killing of unborn babies for any reason up to birth.
Parliament passed the first reading of the bill, and a final vote could occur before Decmeber 19, the start of Christmas break. To become law, legislation must pass three readings and then receive the president’s signature.
Prime Minister Robert Abela and Health Minister/Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne support the bill, asserting that it will not be as expansive as pro-life advocates say.
However, Fearne also rejected a proposed amendment by 80 leading medical professionals, lawyers, ethicists, and academics that would ensure that Malta continues to protect unborn babies’ lives.
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