Gonzi, Muscat exchange offers of talks

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday wrote back to Labour leader Joseph Muscat to say he had no difficulty discussing any suggestion that would improve the way parliamentary democracy worked in practice.

This could include the citizen's right to vote in a Maltese embassy abroad and retention of the right to vote while studying abroad, among other issues.

He also proposed other subjects for discussion: Having one national holiday instead of five; updating the Constitution to reflect present realities; reforming the Broadcasting Authority to eliminate political party dominance; improving regulations for the political parties' media; and implementing the second part of the pensions' reform, among others.

The Prime Minister was replying to a letter sent earlier by Dr Muscat highlighting issues which the latter felt the government and opposition should discuss.

Among them are his proposal to cap the government's revenue from the fuel excise duty; a reform in the management and editorial appointments at PBS Ltd which runs the state TV station; adequate resources for Members of Parliament; and a law to ensure transparency in party financing.

"Despite the government's attitude towards the opposition and several social partners, the Labour Party is prepared to embark on discussions in the country's national interest," Dr Muscat wrote.

He reiterated that, with the exception of the electoral law which required more time, the opposition was prepared to discuss and conclude these proposals by September.

"By implementing these proposals, the Labour Party will be prepared to discuss the parliamentary procedures, standing orders and appointments, in-cluding that of the Speaker," he said, adding that he awaited the Prime Minister's response.

Speaking in Siġġiewi on Sunday, Dr Muscat had said Labour deemed the issues it wanted to discuss as being of higher priority than reaching an agreement on parliamentary pairing.

The government is keen on such an agreement due to the fact that it only enjoys a one-seat majority in the House and its ministers are regularly abroad on EU business. So far, its proposals on the matter, linked to the appointment of a Speaker from the opposition benches, have been rejected by the opposition.

In reply to Dr Muscat's letter, Dr Gonzi "gently reminded" Dr Muscat of a letter sent to former Labour leader Alfred Sant on May 5 asking to continue discussing matters once the new opposition leader was elected.

"Your letter replies to just one of eight proposals the government made, even though the two-month period the opposition requested to reply is up," he wrote.

He appealed to the opposition to at least reply to its proposals on the appointment for an auditor general and a deputy auditor general, which have been pending since July last year. "Surely, it's in the interest of democracy that the opposition does not delay its decision on such a crucial post for the country's proper administration," he added.

Dr Gonzi also reminded Dr Muscat that last year he had invited the opposition so that together they could set up a House committee to review and strengthen the Permanent Commission Against Corruption.

"Unfortunately, the opposition has failed to decide on such an important matter," he wrote.