Those that are forever struggling with the concept of The Greater Malta may argue that Maltese citizens living abroad could, one day, demand the right to vote in Maltese elections. It is, after all, the fundamental right of every citizen.
…a vote for the Maltese living abroad is not a priority- Laurence Dimech
I was confronted with this issue many times as I made the case for other rights that could be extended to Maltese citizens irrespective of their place of abode. The voting argument was meant to block or limit you from going any further.
In fact, voting rights for Maltese living abroad is not a suggestion coming with such force from overseas but it was part of the Nationalist Party proposals for electoral reforms submitted by the party’s general secretary at the time, Joe Saliba, in January 2007. However, for reasons better known to the party, the PN’s suggestions only included Maltese working in EU countries.
The Bill entitled Council for Maltese Living Abroad Act 2011, recently passed unanimously in Parliament, clearly lists as one of its principal aims “to strengthen facilities and cultivate the ties between Maltese communities abroad and Malta’s political, culture, economic and social life”. Read in this what you like but to me this is suggesting similar visions that may include, ultimately, voting rights for citizens not residents of Malta, hopefully, not just those living in the EU countries.
The Bill was also drafted on similar Italian legislation that extend the right for citizens living abroad to vote for their representatives in the Italian Senate.
We must remain vigilant with regard to laws that proclaim benevolent principles but when put into practice present obstacles that reverse the process.
According to Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil, the right to vote in general elections has little to do with whether you pay taxes in Malta. Nor does the fact that you are an EU citizen entitle you to acquire the right to vote in general elections in Malta. The right to vote in general elections is not regulated by EU laws. The Constitution of Malta, in article 57, lists the qualifications of voters for the election of the House of Representatives of Malta.
Having written all that, let me clarify.
At this point in time I am not in favour of Maltese living abroad having the right of a vote in Malta’s general elections. This view is shared by many of my colleagues in Australia.
This sentiment was expressed at the 2010 Convention for the Maltese Living Abroad. I venture to write, as well, that it is the view of the many members of the active organisations in the state of NSW.
There were some feeble attempts to put on the agenda the voting rights of dual citizens but this was nothing more than a smokescreen or, rather, a spoke in the wheel to prevent progress on pending issues we had raised in the last two conventions.
The right for Maltese citizens living abroad to vote cannot be compared with those of other countries such as the UK, Italy and Australia, to mention just three. The population of these countries runs into many millions and citizens living abroad amount to a very small proportion. The situation in Malta is totally different. We could have as many Maltese citizens eligible to vote but living abroad as those registered as voters in Malta. This reason alone makes the matter unjust and unfair.
Then there is the practicality of it all. Malta will be struggling to find enough resources to organise such a fair and accountable global undertaking.
More important for the Maltese communities living abroad is that the acquisition of the right to vote would herald a new wave of partisan politics, the ugly political divisions that come with elections. Maltese living abroad are well known for way they welcome all politicians visiting from Malta. Blue or red does not matter. They run the affairs of the state. We are one united nation, especially if we live far away from the shadows of city bastions.
You can never say never.
Situations change and opinions change with them but I am adamant that a vote for the Maltese living abroad is not a priority. Let us continue to push forward our aspirations that are synonymous with citizenship when, if they are practical and can be put into practice.