---
title: "Prime Minister rules out abortion reform but suggests lower penalties"
date: 2026-03-13T02:00:26.16+00:00
updated: 2026-03-13T11:00:49.351+00:00
topics: ["Politics", "Courts", "National", "Health"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-03-13/prime-minister-rules-out-abortion-reform-suggests-lower-penalties
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# Prime Minister rules out abortion reform but suggests lower penalties

## In brief

- Prime Minister Robert Abela stated he will not reform Malta's strict abortion laws.
- He suggested he would recommend lower penalties if the Cabinet is petitioned.
- The comments follow public outcry over a woman's recent conviction for medical abortion.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has ruled out any immediate changes to Malta's abortion laws. Speaking after a woman was recently convicted for undergoing a medical abortion, the Prime Minister stated that the government does not intend to reform the current legal framework. 

However, Dr Abela indicated that he would be open to recommending a change in penalties. He suggested that if the Cabinet were to receive a formal petition, he would support a move to ensure that no woman serves prison time for such an offence. He noted that while the law remains, the sentencing could be "calibrated" to be more proportionate.

His comments come as the pro-choice group 'Voice for Choice' expressed outrage over the recent court case. The group argued that criminalising women for healthcare is a violation of human rights. 

In a separate political debate, former Labour MP Deborah Schembri defended the government's right to make high-level appointments, such as the Chief Justice, based on its democratic majority. This follows criticism from the Opposition regarding the government's influence over state institutions.

Momentum, a local advocacy group, has called on Parliament to change existing laws to ensure that women who seek an abortion do not face the possibility of imprisonment. This statement comes after Prime Minister Robert Abela suggested that women could petition him for a pardon in such cases.

Momentum strongly criticised the Prime Minister's suggestion, describing it as "feudal". The group believes that legal reform is necessary to address the issue directly, rather than relying on individual pardons.

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Newsbook reported the group's reaction and criticism of the Prime Minister's comments neutrally.

## Updates

- **2026-03-13:** Momentum called for a law change to prevent jailing women seeking abortions, criticising the Prime Minister's suggestion of a pardon.

## Sources (3)

- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-03-12/local-news/Prime-Minister-hints-at-changes-to-abortion-penalties-but-rules-out-law-reform-6736287941)
- [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/140289/watch__robert_abela_rules_out_abortion_law_reform_but_signals_penalty_changes)
- [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/l-ebda-mara-mghandha-tmur-il-habs-fuq-abort-izda-l-piena-ghandha-tkun-kalibrata-fis-sentenza-il-pm/)

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