The common good of Swieqi

As reported in The Times of April 8, a petition was circulated objecting to the one-ways in Swieqi, with over 400 signatures collected. A Swieqi Residents Action Group has been formed, which organised a well-attended information meeting on the evening of April 6, at the Garden View Holiday Complex in Swieqi.

This gathering was proof that Swieqi residents need to discuss this issue, which is much greater than it appears to be. It was really an indicator of the gap between what is being done and what ought to be done in order for democracy and subsidiarity to function properly. Democracy is not just an electoral activity or event, it is in fact that set of values and conditions existing in a particular society which make it possible for the people living as a community to choose their common good. Moreover, the latter should never go directly against the individual good. In fact the common good may be described as the total set of conditions which makes such personal plans and projects a possibility.

This is not rhetoric, it is in reality the principle that should inspire all democratic governments whether local or national, to shape their official behaviour in accordance with the spirit of the legislation setting up the local councils.