A referendum gamble

In launching Alternattiva Demokratika's referendum quest to abolish the notorious rent laws, Harry Vassallo listed a number of ordinances which amply make his point. I looked at some of these subordinate legal instruments and anyone with a sense of fairness would be outraged at how unfair the rent control laws are.

Each line I read screams injustice and urgently calls for reform. How our successive governments, comprising our present crop of politicians, can sleep soundly in allowing the state to "steal" property belonging to thousands to benefit people who were lucky enough to inherit properties at low rents for over 60 years is beyond comprehension!

No politician and nobody living on the fruits of others can possibly justify the present state of affairs. Dr Vassallo can say it better than I.

Having said that, however, I feel AD are gambling with people's property. The abrogative referendum has been in the pipeline for some time and it appears obvious there is a great deal of apathy among the public. More important is the fact that should AD collect the 30,000 signatures necessary to claim the right to a referendum, it will have a mountain to climb to ensure success in the resultant poll. AD must be aware there are at least 12,000 tenants sitting pretty paying a low rent and who will most definitely vote against. There are then several other thousands who are waiting in the wings awaiting inheritance and who are living in such properties. To these one must also add those voting against on ideological grounds. A rough estimate would make the vote against succeed at about 50,000 or one sixth of the electorate. AD are being more optimistic than the figures show and are gambling on being victorious in their campaign.

If AD fail, the rent laws will not be reformed in Dr Vassallo's lifetime, if ever. I hope they succeed as the present state of affairs has created two nation: Those leeching on others and unfairly raising their standard of living without moving a muscle and those that have to borrow and committing themselves to hefty mortgage payments for a large portion of their lives.

Dr Vassallo mentions a figure of Lm11,000 to fund the campaign. It would have been better if they institute a test case in the Maltese courts with a final determination at the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg. Apparently, recent case law points to a change of attitude on the part of the judges to accommodate hard cases Malta will present them with.

This approach would certainly stand a better chance of success. If they fail in Strasbourg they can always hold the referendum as a last resort but not before the attempt in Strasbourg.