Muscat writes to PM on proposed talks
The Labour Party today published a letter sent by its leader, Joseph Muscat, to the Prime Minister, suggesting items for discussion as a means to strengthening democracy.
Dr Muscat wrote that despite the government’s attitude to the opposition and several social partners, the MLP was ready, in the national interest, to embark on measures to strengthen democracy.
The suggested topics, revealed yesterday by Dr Muscat himself, are:
A law on transparent party funding; a law to regulate the functions of a caretaker government; better resources to MPs especially in view of new demands made by EU legislation; a change in the appointment and composition of PBS management and editorial boards;
Amendments for a fairer electoral law; justice for those people whose cases have been upheld by the Ombudsman or the Tribunal for the Investigation of Injustices and capping of government revenue from duties on fuel at June 2008 levels.
Dr Muscat reiterated that except for the electoral law, the MLP was prepared to wrap up such talks by September.
Once these proposals were implemented, the MLP would be prepared to discuss parliamentary procedures including standing orders and appointments, including that of the Speaker, Dr Muscat wrote.
9 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
john fenech
Jul 7th 2008, 19:47
Dr Muscat now Dr. Gonzi knows that pairing is not a priority in your agenda. You also know what the outcome will be, a marathon of sessions on Saturday. If your priorities are not of mutual interest, then it stands to reason that review of these priorities will depend on the time available. Which after all, the constraint, is self imposed!
saviour cachia
Jul 7th 2008, 19:31
@Victor Fiorini
I am a labourite, but for the sake of true democracy i agreed with you 100%. Pls do away with the unbalanced system of having votes for the small parties wasted altogether. But yes, the electoral reform should seek a formula or system that guarantee a stable government, with the party with the biggest number of no 1 votes earning the right to govern..the rest to sit on the opposition benches.
M J Gatt
Jul 7th 2008, 18:30
So Mr. Muscat suggested a law to regulate the functions of a caretaker government. May I suggest that a caretaker govt. should employ thousands of employees within the civil service before election and members of parliament should organise activities during which a job in the public sector is offered as one of the prizes. Any member of parliament doing this will be given the title of FATHER no matter of what. This is directed to those who are proud of the past.
Oscar Cassar
Jul 7th 2008, 17:20
Mr or Ms F Spiteri.
Please note that the Opposition Leader is Dr Charles Mangion and not Dr Joseph Muscat or Dr Angelo Farrugia that weeks ago had been elected by the MLP delegates as the leader and Dep leader respectively. This mistake is probably due to the new bureaucracy within a New Political season.
Oscar Cassar
Jul 7th 2008, 17:12
I wonder how a political party and its young leader can expect us to believe him that he is making proposals to strengthen democracy while he is putting aside proposed procedure for the Parliamentary that is the symbol of our nation’s democracy. If this is truly a New Political season, it must be of benefit to citizens more then new bureaucracy for a party’s interest.
I wonder why all this fuss about the pairing arrangement between the parties represented Parliament when the Speaker can easily introduce a system by which those MPs on official duties abroad can easily vote online through a secure website with an allocated password after following the debate through the website by means of a LIVE streaming. If we truly believe in democracy we should give the powers required to our representatives and not creating more partisan bureaucracy that will surly is unhealthy for the National interest.
I think that it is also time to introduce some form of voting at the embassies abroad for example during a general election instead of pretending that citizens working abroad who knows were, must come to Malta to cast their vote in the Nation’s interest.
Charles Camilleri
Jul 7th 2008, 16:39
Victor are you living in outer space? We have had a stable Government for the last twenty years.
Victor Fiorini
Jul 7th 2008, 15:07
"Amendments for a fairer electoral law"... I hope this means giving third or fourth political parties a better chance of being elected, rather than convenientaly setting up a system that is "fair" for a two party parliament, as has been done in past. The electoral threshhold of 16% in one district should be abolished straight away, and instead guarantee that the distribution of seat in parliament are proportional to the percentage of votes garnered by each political party, with a minimum teshhold that would both secure representation for smaller parties and secure a stable government
We'll wait and see
F Spiteri
Jul 7th 2008, 14:46
Joseph has been working for the country's interest ever since he was elected an an MEP, making pressure on the government so that some rights and benefits from which we remained unfairly deprived, finally reached our island.
In his role as Opposition Leader, he has an even better opportunity to work for Malta's best interest with great energy, determination and commitment. He had promised that he would not sit gallarija and just criticize should he be elected as party leader, and so we are seeing.
Keep it up, Joseph!!
A.Borg
Jul 7th 2008, 13:50
Joseph Muscat means business.