When Azzjoni Nazzjonali (AN) was launched at the Hotel Phoenicia Hotel on June 9, I stated that a sine qua non for putting this island on the right track was to change the political system.
I spelt out the main thrusts for doing this.
The President of Malta should be elected by universal suffrage instead of by the majority party in Parliament. He should be the choice of the people. Except for Sir Anthony Mamo, all our Presidents have been party political appointees. It is time to have a counterbalance to the powers wielded by the PM and the Cabinet.
AN is not suggesting either a French or American style of government. But in the absence of an upper chamber, and in a country shackled by political tribalism, it is imperative that we have a more balanced system of government. Above all, the people will be guaranteed that, with the President's first duty being to act as guardian of the Constitution, the games now played in Parliament will stop. No longer will the Constitution be violated by agreement between the two main parties, or any number of parties, in Parliament. There will be a legal authority that will have the power to say "enough"!
AN also declared that the President should choose the members of the constitutional bodies. This should help to take the heat out of many situations. We need to ensure that all appointments are underpinned by honesty, transparency and justice. It is time to open the administration to the whole country, and not always to the half that has put a party in office.
I also said that the President should be aided by a Council of State. Since the Council would be the responsibility of a person whose authority rests on popular support, its decisions would not be seen as partisan in nature. It would also bring in deserving, competent citizens whose track record would be their ID for sitting on the Council.
AN suggested that for a person to contest the Presidency, he or she must have ceased to be active in the political arena for a time. The advantage of this is obvious and will become more so if the precedent recently created continues to be copied.
AN's second proposal was to reduce the number of MPs. For a small island, with a population equal to that of a small European town, to have 65 MPs (and the amendments to the electoral law will increase that number substantially, together with the relative costs to the taxpayer) is ludicrous. It is even more ludicrous when you consider the 68 local councils all doing their best to bring politics into our homes in between national elections.
Azzjoni Nazzjonali proposes a Parliament of 55 members, 45 of whom would be chosen from nine electoral districts while the remaining ten would be elected on a national basis. This would be real democracy in that: (1) more valid people would be allowed to contest outside the iron grip of the parties; (2) Parliament would be more truly representative; and (3) there would be real savings in the administration of the country that could be used to give MPs a better service than what they have now.
Of course, AN would have favoured Malta and Gozo forming one electoral district, as logic dictates, but we don't think that voters can handle a booklet with some 300 names in it.
AN also pledged to change the local councils set-up. These have degenerated into squabbling political party clubs. Local councils should be open to citizens with a track record of achievement and ready to dedicate their abilities to enhancing the lives of their fellow citizens.
AN would therefore prohibit anybody running for local councils on a party ticket. Local councils would become regional or district councils with offices in every town or village in the area under their jurisdiction. These would serve as one-stop shops for the locality, giving advice and service to the citizen. It would also widen the councillors' vision beyond the parochial limits of the present system. Councillors would also be remunerated for their work.
The Sunday Times leader of September 30 is very much in line with Azzjoni Nazzjonali's proposals. What is lacking is the salient fact that only a new party, clean of the baggage accumulated in long years of rule, can effect change. Most people understand this but are not encouraged to think it; not in tribal Malta.
Azzjoni Nazzjonali is a fresh party with fresh thinking. It has a political, economic, educational and social vision that would bring a breath of fresh air. Its doors are open to any person of talent and ability who can contribute to the progress of this country irrespective of his family or political thinking. When people buy a product, all that most of them are interested in is value for money not the political loyalties of the board of directors. The principle of meritocracy is the principle on which the country should be administered.
However, ethical and moral considerations must continue to have a place in public life. Without in any way leading a crusade, AN is intent on bringing back values that have been sidelined in favour of social mores that have contributed little, if at all, to our society. The radical chic might scoff as much as it wants, but most people like to live in a clean society. I do not think that people's low perceptions of our political system, our law courts, our professional ethics, even of our churchmen, are unjustified. Does it help a society to believe that everyone has a price; that there is one justice for the small people and another for the high and mighty; that only people with the proper political credentials have a chance?
Azzjoni Nazzjonali believes that taxes can be lowered; that families can be helped to balance careers and the care of their children. It believes in unshackling enterprise, in creating wealth that will go to upgrade the level of all our lives. AN believes that our people can compete with the best and there is no need to sell the family silver to foreigners to encourage them to come here and feed us at our expense. AN believes that all people should be allowed to enjoy the fruits of their labour, rather than lose hefty chunks to Government so that it can then dish it out in ways intended to retain its grip on power.
AN believes that everybody, including political parties, should be accountable for their actions. Any donation above Lm100 a year should be declared.
There are many other questions which need to be answered, but answers can only come from a party that is free of any trammels and obligations.
Dr Muscat is leader of Azzjoni Nazzjonali