A President to unify (1)

Malta is a very young democracy, and The Times editorials have always striven to lead it on the way to maturity. Its recent ones have excelled. The editorial Shaky Start (March 25) was indeed eminently courageous. I urge the paper to continue on the moral high ground that it occupies to foster the sense of national identity and unity. Sadly it appears that a considerable part of the citizenry still have a long way to go to overcome partisan instincts, as some deep wounds are still painfully open. The Times' beneficial efforts to pacify, conciliate, and guide to national reconciliation will bear good fruit.

I am personally convinced of the benefits of the Partnership for Peace decision, which broadens and increases the standing of Malta in the international community. However, we will need to be careful in how to put the decision to work into practice. So far we have avoided problems of international terrorism and we have to deftly manouevre to maintain this status.

It is probably the method and the haste of the communication process with the opposition rather than the actual decision itself that leaves room for improvement - consultation processes between the government and opposition need to improve for the common good, and for the post-electoral divisions to heal. Some policies, essentially of their very nature, require to be based on platforms of consensus, to assure continuity even if governments change.

The Times' suggestion to have a President from the ranks of the Labour side merits serious consideration. The narrow margin of the electoral result indicates that there is no time like the present for adopting this approach. The Presidency in Malta needs to be used to unify the nation further. We are now a respected player in the EU and on the international scene, and we cannot be seen to be divided.

Sadly, perhaps Malta may not yet be quite ready for the adoption of this suggestion, which would be such a conciliatory step. If, given the divisions, the nomination of any politician or ex-politician from any side, whichever, of the political spectrum for Presidency will not find the desirable and requisite national consensus, there could be an alternative. In which case, perhaps it is time to find an upright man or woman. There must be one citizen in Malta worthy of this, from outside the group of serving or ex-politicians, who could become the head of family of all the Maltese in one united nation, as Sir Anthony Mamo was singularly considered by all to be.