Sant calls for respect of constitutional principles

Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday called for prudence from the constitutional institutions to ensure that democracy was respected in accordance with constitutional principles.

Speaking during a visit to President and Mrs Guido de Marco to relay his New Year greetings, accompanied by Labour MPs, he drew a clear distinction between parliamentary democracy and plebiscitary democracy (through a referendum).

Such prudence, he said, was one of the few things that had always distinguished the constitutional institutions in the country.

The Labour leader said that important choices had to be made this year and everyone had to ensure they were made calmly, without spite and in the most transparent of manners.

There were various ways in which the country could make choices and it was important to understand how the will of the people could be expressed, he said in a probable reference to the forthcoming referendum on EU membership.

Malta was one of the few countries in which there was still no consensus among the principal political parties on the main issues, he said, describing this as something every young state went through.

Dr Sant said the method by which people expressed their will was as important as what that will was.

He then gave a hint as to what he might have in mind as a possible alternative, saying the principle of parliamentary democracy was ingrained in the Maltese constitution.

He explained that the referendum might appear in the public perception to be more straightforward as a way of choosing but it was very important that all the institutions established under the constitution should stay in line with the same constitution when they took a stand with regard to the will of the people within the context of the method of choice.

"We have to be very attentive to how that method of assessing the will of the people is assessed."

He said he was confident that once the country had overcome the problems of the method of choice and of the choice itself, people would remain united and continue to respect constitutional institutions, without feeling as though they were in a country which was not their own.

President de Marco emphasised the need for calm, transparency and unity in the country.

The various methods of choice which could be used in the country, he said, were outlined in the country's legislation.

He said the legitimacy of political parties stemmed from the will of the people and he thanked Dr Sant for his contribution towards the achievement of democracy in the country.

The President and Mrs de Marco were first greeted by Auxiliary Bishop Annetto Depasquale followed by Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, ministers, parliamentary secretaries and the secretary to the Cabinet.

Dr Fenech Adami told the President he appreciated his efforts to represent the whole nation every day and on every occasion throughout last year.

"You have done your utmost for the country to move ahead in unity," he told Prof. de Marco.

Speaker Anton Tabone, who was accompanied by Nationalist MPs, said parliament's work could be reflected in what took place in the country.

Labour Party deputy leader Joe Brincat, who visited with the party's administration, said that if the country lost its identity, it would lose direction.

The President, he said, symbolised the country's identity, which was a precious acquisition. The President had to show serenity and wisdom to be a President of all.

Prof. de Marco agreed with Dr Brincat and said that the Maltese and Gozitans should safeguard their identity.

He said there was diversity of opinion among the people but when decisions were taken the people respected such decisions.

The role of the President, Prof. de Marco said, was to encourage debate, democracy and a respect for the people's will.

He hoped the people would continue to take decisions in the interest of the country.

Prof. de Marco also expressed recognition of the work carried out by parliament and said the time when the people appreciated such work still had to come.

Although such exercises as vox pops could give a feel of the people's wishes, vox pops could not replace the people's will as represented in parliament, he said.

Prof. de Marco was also visited by, among others, the Chief Justice, judges and magistrates, former presidents, former chief justices, the attorney general, the auditor general, permanent secretaries and the police commissioner.