Deborah Schembri has said Malta has made major progress on civil rights over the past 15 years, but warned that not every demand should automatically become a legal right.Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, the Labour candidate said there must be limits grounded in what she considers fundamental principles, while outlining clear positions on abortion, euthanasia, women in politics and rule of law.Schembri, a lawyer by profession, became a nationally recognised figure during Malta’s 2011 divorce campaign and later served as a Labour MP between 2013 and 2017. She is now seeking a return to Parliament under Prime Minister Robert Abela.Schembri said she remains firmly opposed to abortion and believes life begins at conception. She argued that when rights come into conflict, the right to life should take precedence over all others.According to Schembri, while Malta has introduced important reforms in areas such as same-sex unions, adoption rights and gender recognition, this does not mean every future claim should be recognised in law.She also rejected assumptions that support for divorce or civil rights reforms should automatically mean support for abortion.Schembri acknowledged that there are medical situations where treatment to save a mother’s life may unintentionally result in the loss of a foetus, but distinguished those cases from abortion carried out deliberately. She said she does not support abortion beyond such circumstances.On euthanasia, however, Schembri said she supports it as long as it is voluntary.She argued that euthanasia and abortion are fundamentally different issues, saying a person who has lived and developed should have autonomy over decisions relating to their own body and life.She said her objection to abortion is that, in her view, it removes the opportunity for a human being to live, grow and make decisions independently.Schembri also addressed Malta’s gender corrective mechanism, saying she supports greater female participation in politics but does not believe the system should remain in place indefinitely.She said women are equally capable of succeeding in politics, but acknowledged that political culture, hostile discourse and attacks often discourage participation. an Opposition that criticises government constructively rather than opposing for the sake of it.While saying she would accept entering Parliament through the mechanism if necessary, she added that she would prefer to be elected directly by voters.Schembri also defended Malta’s institutions, saying the country has a functioning justice system with separation of powers, while acknowledging that no legal system is ever perfect.She said laws should be changed when they are not working and called for a more pragmatic political environment.What do you make of these remarks?•