Unbroken presidential chain

In four months' time the Republic will have a new President. Eddie Fenech Adami presaged the change in the address he made at the investiture of Republic Day Honours on Thursday. As befits the occasion he kept the address short. Thereby the salient points he made stood out better.

Dr Fenech Adami gave a penetrating glance at events in Malta over the past five years. He did so from what, he said, was the Presidency's "unique observatory of the political, social, economic and cultural evolution of Maltese society." What he saw was pleasing, if in parts worrying.

Malta had joined the European Union and was in the process of integrating in all aspects of the Union's life. It had transited smoothly to the eurozone. (Perhaps above all) earlier this year the People (deliberate capital P) had chosen their political leaders, showing democratic maturity "for the umpteenth time" despite an electorate split politically down the middle.

The President confessed that during the past five years "and especially very recently" he noted "positive developments in the way our politicians are really seeking the common good".

The short words convey a heavy meaning to those of us who hope for a new dawn to the way we do politics. I'm sure that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, both listening attentively to the President, took in what he said with satisfaction. May they also have incorporated them in the early mental drafts of their New Year resolutions.

"I augur that our country will continue down this path," said Dr Fenech Adami. So, surely, say all of us in the hope that politics will never lack the democratic clash and contrast of competing proposals but have them delivered and exposed in a civil manner. In a related point he said we still have a strong sense of solidarity (but) there is a need of decision-making which ensures the best interests of our common good.

The President noted the bleak international economic scenario. He largely attributed this to the fact that very often economic and financial operators are spurred by motivations of quick profits. Many, he suggested, have veered from the concept of the social market economy which, rather than the free market, can be the framework of the common good.

This was probably President Fenech Adami's last major public occasion (the New Year's message aside) before he steps down. He also used it to stress a basic point he has been making for quite some time - the erosion of values is increasing. Few will question that.

When Dr Fenech Adami accepted the post of President there were those of us who were in less than total agreement with him. In his five years as Head of State, however, he has not put a foot wrong. He flawlessly extended the tradition that, whoever occupies the Presidency acts for all of the people, all the time. Bar one - the late and grand Sir Anthony Mamo - all our presidents came from the political class, having served in political office for years, none longer than Dr Fenech Adami.

Without exception they honoured the position they served in, which is not quite completely ceremonial, as some think. Whether there will come a time when the President will be called from outside the active political field remains to be seen. Whether that happens or not the important thing will remain that the person serving as President invariably serves the People.

Dr Fenech Adami is the latest link in that unbroken chain.