Debono: Whoever drives into potholes should not blame the tyre
Debono, Mugliett call for Constitutional change for modern governance
Franco Debono and Jesmond Mugliett this evening both urged the government to propose Constitutional amendments to modernise governance of the country.
Mr Mugliett also urged the government to heed concerns being expressed on the ACTA agreement.
Dr Debono in his first address in the Chamber since the no confidence vote, also turned to his situation the comparison made recently between the government and a car being driven on a puncture.
The comparison was first made by Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo, who said that should the government not win the confidence vote, it would be like a car being driven on a puncture.
Dr Debono said that when a driver himself dug potholes and then drove straight into them, he did not blame the tyre for the puncture.
Indeed he said, in an obvious comparison to himself, if the tyre developed a slow puncture now, it must have been a very heavy duty tyre.
Speaking during the debate on a Bill to amend the European Union Act, Dr Debono described how he had been for years campaigning for constitutional and institutional amendments aimed at fundamental reform of Malta's democracy.
He also referred to the forthcoming Constitutional amendment to introduce the Golden Rule to balance the national budget, as agreed by EU heads of government,
It needed to be established, he said, whether this rule would be entrenched with a qualified majority, or whether a simple majority would suffice.
Mr Mugliett, who spoke immediately after Dr Debono, observed that while Dr Debono and others had been calling for various Constitutional reforms, nothing had happened, and now there was a rush to amend the Constitution in line with what the EU had agreed.
There was nothing wrong in what was agreed in the EU, he said, but it was time that the reforms wanted by the Maltese people - such as in the method of appointment of the Broadcasting Authority - were also taken on board.
Dr Debono said the Constitution gave the country its identity and it was a shame that the people did not know much about it, despite the high rate of participation in nation elections.
It was like going to a football game without knowing the rules.
In Italy and elsewhere, the people were constantly speaking of reforms and also holding referenda, as the ultimate expression of direct democracy. In Malta, both were extremely rare.
Dr Debono insisted that Malta needed to have effective separation of powers between the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary. That meant, among other things, that it should be parliament, not the government, which decided on the honoraria of MPs and that there should be a more modern method how judges were appointed after their nomination by the Executive.
Malta, he said, needed reforms to oil the democratic institutions and ensure there was accountability, transparency and responsibility throughout.
But there was also need for the method of appointing the President to be revisited. It did not make sense that the appointment to the most important post in the land was made by a simple majority of the House. The committee which had discussed such issues before 1987 had proposed that the appointment should be made by qualified majority, resorting to a simple majority in a second round of voting only if there was a stalemate. This was a method which should be considered.
Parliament, too, needed to be given its dignity. For a start, it should be separate from the civil service and not run like a government department, when its role was to monitor the government. Nor should it be undermined - as happened in the honoraria issue. The Standing Orders should be modernised. And there was nothing to stop the televised broadcasting of sittings.
Dr Debono spoke on the role of the backbench and said that people like himself, who had proposed wide-ranging change in line with was enjoyed by other countries for 30 years, should not be called rebels, but reformers.
He also insisted that it was nonsensical for anyone to suggest that the ruling party should have a guaranteed majority of more than one seat in parliament - to ensure governability.
Such a proposal did not make sense in a country like Malta where the electoral system was based on proportional representation and the single transferable vote.
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K CASSAR
Feb 14th, 14:59
Reading these posts is almost distressing! Should there be such hostility towards new ideas? Why are so many eager to get Dr. Debono to stop talking? Are they afraid that the population is faced with the basic truth about the way Gonzi PN has been taking everyone for a ride - including it's own MP's? Or are they so sure that they will lose the forthcoming election to the Labour Party? The latter seem to have lots of new idea's which are fresh and welcome. Had Gonzi PN behaved honestly, they would have no reason to worry!!!!
Saviour Cachia
Feb 14th, 12:12
"He also insisted that it was nonsensical for anyone to suggest that the ruling party should have a guaranteed majority of more than one seat in parliament - to ensure governability.
Such a proposal did not make sense in a country like Malta where the electoral system was based on proportional representation and the single transferable vote. "
So is this your definite position Hon. Franco Debono? You seem to suggest reforms, but does not sustain them. Does not the electoral reform is a priority for you, considering all the weeks we have been through because Gonzi PN Government did not want to heed your advices and you had to stamp your feet?
I am not condemning you, and never had I any doubt that you would vote with the Opposition in the non-confidence vote moved by the Opposition, because I know you are a true Nationalist and after all there is a political future to guard against such a suicidal decision.
But I would expect you to give us your ideas about electoral reforms. I firmly vouch for a ballot paper with two sections. In section one I vote for the party I want to be in power. In section two I vote for the five candidates I want to represent my district. I am fed up of being tied with the present system, where the preference for an individual candidate, ties me to his party.
Though I am a Labourite, I want to feel free that I could give my first three preferences in the candidates section to three nationalists' candidates, because i deem them better to serve my district. Should I have a right for such option? Should I have a right to opt to vote none at all, in either of the two section. I may be interested only to vote for the candidates' section and would not care a hoot about the party. Or it might be other wise. I stop at the choice of the party and have nothing to do with the candidates. Why should such preferences makes my vote invalid?
Regarding the Government stability, should any government be slave to the whims of just one MPs, even if the said party wins power let say with a net majority. It is not outright that such majority should be respected in favour of the Government in power.
Should we then, propose that the extra seats will be fillled by technocrats? Yes we are living in democracy and do not agree to give any government the push to act as dictator, but it is not the Gonzi PN Government acting this way? And was not you, the rebellion or reformer, who shook it for a while, without having the necessary courage to do what you for weeks have been saying that you will be doing?
Are you still insisting for the resignation of those Ministers who did not perform? The Ministers can resign anytime, but the situation will not change, since they will be change by other Nationalists deputies. Such moves will not topple the Government because it seems hard that a seat won by a Minister will be in a by-election won by a Labour candidatte.
I am quite aware that all is set that the Gonzi PN Goverment will last to at least March, 2013,and desp[te our entics, Hon Debono, you know that qite well. I do not have no interest for Gonzi PN Government to be toppled. Let him deal with the potholes, he drove into, and their consequences, even if the country is passing through an unstable phase.
Those feeling to be hit hard by this uncertainty and unstable situation should have the courage to take to the roads. It is their challenge, and they should call a spade a spade if Gonzi PN Government is clinging to power no matter what.
The electorate will have its final say in the forthcoming general elections, come when it comes.Hoping that you Hon. Debono give your share to help Malta have a real democratic, just and fair general elections, by proposing adequate reforms, not calling us that move forward any suggestions in this direction as nonsensical. Hope you are not feeling the sensation that you become Divine and all you say should be heeded too, because you have been endowed by intellectual powers by His Almighty.
CHARLES PISANI
Feb 14th, 10:36
kull gurnata nikonvinci ruhi kemm il laburisti u dawk il laburisti li hawn jilghabuha ta nazzjonalisti huma mahruqin li franco debono astjena ,, laburisti...socjalisti jew mintoffjani ...qatt tghoddu il flieles qabel ma ifaqsu !!!!
Nazzareno Cortis
Feb 14th, 14:09
Charles Pisani-------nahseb hadd daqsek ma hu mahruq------ghax inti taf bhall kullhadd,li Franco Debono hu membru prlamentari tal PN-----u bhall hafna ohrajn qablu-----ma qablux mat-tmexxijja ta Gonzi PN u kumpanija!!!!!
Is-sabieha hi li Franco Debono ghamila cara ghall iktar minn darba li m'ghandux fiducja f'Dr.Gonzi,u xi ministri tieghu----anzi ghamila cara li il-prim ministru jrid jirrizenja,ma xi ministri ohra biex hu jibqa jghati l-appogg tieghu lill PN fil parlament!!!!!
Mela qabel thazzez xi haga dur dawra mieghek innifsek,u ara li dak li tghid jghamel sens!!!!!!
A. Xuereb
Feb 14th, 16:01
Il- laburisti qatt ma hasbu li Debono se jivvota magghom ghax jafu x inhu.u taf kif jafu? Meta kulhadd ra lil Priministru jibqa ghaddej qisu ma gara xejn.Min ahjar jista jkun jaf lil Debono mill-Priministru? Tant jafu li lanqas biss ikkunsidrah ghall minister ghax jaf x issarraf. Kelb jinbah ma jigdimx jghid il-malti. L elezzjoni tasal, sena tghaddi malajr.Li qatt mhu se jintesa pero hija l hasla li Debono kull darba jaghti lill- mexxej tieghu! Kliemu jibqa mnizzel fl istorja tal- politika maltija ghall dejjem.
John Rizzo
Feb 14th, 10:25
I doubt whether any reforms can really take place when having a Prim Minister who voted against people's will in Divorce Referendum! The PM stands deaf to people's will so you can think what he will do about a "biċċa deputat"'s demands!
Anthony Schembri adami
Feb 14th, 11:01
I doubt whether Mr John Risso really knows what parliamentary democacy really IS.The Prim Minister, while promising to enforce the will of the people allowed all members to express their opinion not as the Leader of the Opposition. I think we should know how to distinguish.
A. Xuereb
Feb 14th, 16:03
Mr Schembri Debono does the name Dr Adrian Vassallo ring a bell? Yes? Think before you rush to put pen to paper.
Mr Rizzo: you are spot on!
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Feb 14th, 10:22
FD really has only two honorable options forward worth reporting which are a decision on his part to either loyally vote with the gov to the end of the legislature or remove the current uncertainty by bringing the gov down by voting with the opposition. There are so many other valid MP's on both sides of the house who are being ignored and in my opinion more deserving of media focus and attention. These are those Mp's and who go about serving quietly and taking care of the problems of their constituency. The primary duty and important role of a backbench MP who is not in the government team is the fundamental role of serving the people and acting on our behalf as a conduit of our concerns to the centres of power. I suggest you start running in the TOM a series of profiles of all these unsung deserving MPs who are happy to remain in the background whilst serving the people in order that we get to know them better . Many like myself would like to see more promotion of such self effacing MP's as we might prefer to place them at the top of their voting preferences.
Alfred Fenech
Feb 15th, 10:02
Being a backbencher MP is no gratifying post. One can only sing the party herald ... Gonzi is
doing our party bad publicity by clinging to the Leadership seat. He should wisely call an early
election and start a clean sheet of duties.
Manuel Briffa
Feb 14th, 10:21
Dr Debono is suggesting that parliament sittings should be televised. If nothing else, this would give us a good insight on the reading preferences of our hard-working MPs. We already know Dr Debono's of course.
George Azzopardi
Feb 14th, 09:56
Joseph Muscat was right in saying .. the longer Gonzi clings to his seat, the more damage to his party there will be.
G Cilia
Feb 14th, 10:22
Definately !!!!
G Mangion
Feb 14th, 09:56
Dr Debono : Quote ( Debono: Whoever drives into potholes should not blame the tyre )
Are You not running into one F.D ? even a form 2 Student can see it ............!
G. Mangion.
;
G Cilia
Feb 14th, 09:56
Ghandek mitt elf ragun imma skuzani nghidlek FD li issa sirt komplici mal KLIKKA ..... Paroli Si Fatti No ax kieku mandniex din s sitwazzjoni li ninsabu fijha llum ghax ta dan, il poplu malti kollu qed ibaghti, habba nuqqas ta decizjonijiet serji fl interess tal istat.
Paul Portelli
Feb 14th, 09:55
And the game continues------------franco, please you know that the maltese deserve better.
if you wanted to realise the maltese and give them back freedom ,than you know what you should have done.remember that HANQA TA HMAR QATT MA TELGHET IS-SEMA IMMA AZZJIONI TA BNIEDEM KISSRET MUNTANJI
A Spiteri
Feb 14th, 09:52
Any talk of radical constitutional changes that comes from the present politicians is simply empty talk.
The present political class can never bring the change needed in the way the country is governed, otherwise, they will simply end-up unemployed!
Constitutional Changes should see the following...
-Division of the Institution of Parliament from that of Government.
-Parliament reduced to not more than 25 parliamentarians and all must be fulltime.
-The role of President changed from that of organising l-Strina to that of running the country. He must be elected by the people.
-President picks up a Prime Minister and a cabinet outside parliament. Yes, a government of technocrats!
-Reform in Local Councils that will turn them into Regional Councils and they won’t be limited in administrating gardens and skips. They will also be responsible for infrastructure, education and environment. Building permits will be issued by these councils, so finally we can have some form of political accountability tied with any planning decision.
-Government to concentrate its effort in pushing forward the reforms needed and once they do so, they will limit their involvement in people’s life to that of protecting their individual rights, by securing a proper judicial system.
-Introduce the notion of Limited Government.
-The economy must be run by entrepreneurs and businessmen, not ministers and bureaucrats.
-All Government corporations must be privatized and all markets liberalized.
These are a few points that should be included in an eventual reform. Anything other than these points will be a waste of time!
But does anyone actually believe that this kind of reform can be delivered by the present political class, whose interests are protected by the current system?
Victor Zammit
Feb 14th, 09:19
Re separation of powers and all that: that the President is not removed by a simple majority, considering that a judge is removed by a two-thirds majority after proven misbehaviour. Like a judge the President needs to exercise his functions without fear or favour. And that the cabinet, currently taking a third of the government members in parliament, needs to be made up also of unelected members, save the prime minister. Judges are to be confirmed by Parliament. The Broadcasting Authority is monopolised. It has to include civil society. To maintain constitutional impartiality we are bordering on the ridiculous: every time the prime minister pronounces himself, he is invariably followed by the leader of the opposition doing likewise, or vice-versa, and the balance is not always at par. I reckon even newscasters on TVM are inhibited... And much more.
Mr Tim Ripard
Feb 14th, 09:19
The first reform we need is to reduce the number of MPs to 45.
john vella
Feb 14th, 09:02
Sir,
I followed Dr. Debono in parliament from start to finish, I believe he like to repeat and sometime he over stretch, I guess this is lawyer talk.
But, allow me to suggest to Dr. Debono to stay put on course. If we have New Labour in government we will not be any better with these come lately old foxes with sheep clothing, once they be in power they will not be any different.
Our only hope is in Dr. Debono able guiding, if Dr. Gonzi will not take head the defeat in this coming election is guaranted.
John Caruana
Feb 14th, 08:56
I like Dr Debono he is the honest politician of our times
Darren Bugeja
Feb 14th, 08:34
Dr Debono,
Meta kellek ic cans stajt ivvutajt kontra l gvern biex ikollna elezzjoni u il poplu jleggi gvern iehor. issa li ma hadtx dak ic cans, 'shut your mouth' halli nkomplu ghaddejin bla instabilta, ghax kull darba li qed titkellem hsara qed taghmel issa ghax tkun qed tizra l instabilita u l pajjiz biss ha jbati u l poplu.
Grazzi
Ken Spiteri
Feb 14th, 08:17
The more I listen to Dr Debono, the more I convince my self how right he is.
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 14th, 08:05
Dr. Debono I must say you are perfectly right.
One blames those responsible for the potholes dug along the route, that is, the Debono's of the time.
R. Balzan
Feb 14th, 08:34
Your missive this morning is wide off the mark. The potholes were dug by the incumbent government and Dr Debono had to be the one to bring them the the people's attention. You may not agree with his style, but there's no denying that everything he said so far has been on the mark. His only problem is that he has still not found it within himself to bring all his good work to a successful conclusion.
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 14th, 10:46
Like what? Like telling us that video broadcast and digital recording of parliamentary sessions are a more urgent priority, than facing up to the huge international economic turmoil. Like taking up parliament time to childishly rubbish off the huge implications that this turmoil could have on us – well at least he did say he does not know much about the subject.
I do not contest that some of his suggestions can improve the country but one can never blackmail someone into following one’s lead. That is not feasible and creates a very dangerous precedent for the governability of this highly exposed little country of ours.
On other issues, I am very much concerned about his serious conflict of interest on the subjects.
Wenzu Vella
Feb 14th, 07:05
In other words Dr Debono is saying loud and clear, nepotism, collusion and corruption is rife in the Maltese system of governance. That is why this sort of thing has been the norm in Maltese politics, it happened before and it has been happening more grossly under consecutive PN governments.
A. Xuereb
Feb 14th, 07:54
What does Dr Debono intend to do about it? It is useless harping on about it but then doing nothing about it.By doing so he is showing that he is perfectly happy to be a part of it.If he is so disgusted by what is happening in the country he has two clear options ONLY: resign or vote against the government.
Aldo Buttigieg
Feb 14th, 08:02
You are right all the way Mr. Vella
David Caruana
Feb 14th, 08:17
Those are the options which you A.Xuereb can think about.
From where I stand, Franco can stay put and exert pressure where and when it's needed.
A. Xuereb
Feb 14th, 08:51
To Mr David Caruana: that is not really an option because what concerns us is how we are going to make ends meet at the end of the month.Granted,the PN will concede to a few minor issues that Dr Debono would like to see changed,but when it comes to the bigger things,the government will make sure it s agenda is pushed through. On another note,where was Dr Debono when they had the vote on the power station? And what about the electricity/ water bills?
ALBERT FENECH
Feb 14th, 06:20
This is unfortunate - but it has to be said - Franco Debono, Jesmond Mugliette, Robert Arrigo, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando et al can continue barking and baying to their heart's content but it is all inutile and useless. The GonziPN will not be moved and will not be deviated from its task - that of playing to the gallery to steal as many votes as possible thus ensuring longevity of jobs for the boys and all the other trappings and benefits of governance GonziPN style. It is not interested in reform, fairness, legalities etc because all that is seen as useless hindrance to the steamroller GonziPN path where the ends always justify the means - no matter how many people are crushed in the process.
ALBERT FENECH
A. Xuereb
Feb 14th, 08:00
Gonzipn is not interested in reform,etc etc.....neither are the four men you mentioned! If they were they would have resigned a long time ago. It is useless complaining about this and that but then doing nothing about it because in the meantime it is still jobs for the boys, price hikes on everything etc for the man in the street! But I guess that parliamentary seat is too cushy and comfortable to give up! I wonder what their constituents have to say about it all, because voting for your party does not mean you are giving it the go ahead to steamroll all over you and give favorable jobs and positions to some people while leaving the rest in mire!
Anthony Mifsud Bonnici Giordani
Feb 14th, 04:40
More Rebels oopps sorry Reformers should speak out. We know there are others of this kind. Up to my knowledge the car got four tyres with slow puncture. Am I wrong?
Jonathan Camilleri
Feb 14th, 04:28
What is the Golden Rule about, please?
twanny borg
Feb 14th, 02:32
l-istess diska mhux kullhadd jaf li dawn biex ifixklu ghax ma sarux ministri! igri tasal elezzjoni ohra halli naraw kemm ghandhom appogg mill-poplu dawn it-tnejn.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Feb 13th, 23:21
Whenever a governing party is poised to lose government, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will go about reforming the Constitution in an effort to hamper the incoming government. I will not put it past this lot tp seek to bankrupt Malta to make life difficult for Labour.
Thomas Mifsud
Feb 13th, 23:18
Franco issa tibqax sejjer bijha la ma kontx sod bizejjed biex taghmel differenza. Issa ibqa komplici mal-klikka.
A. Xuereb
Feb 14th, 08:55
Komdu wisq dak is-siggu.
Paul Portelli
Feb 14th, 09:51
franco ta xejn issa hadd mu ha jemnek li int vera politiku li trid il bidla.li ridt saret il bidla.taf li dawn mhux ha jisimhu minnek ghal xejn tirrecta fil parlament
R. Gauci
Feb 13th, 22:40
These are true Nationalists who want the good of the party and country. I always said that the Nationalist Party is divided in two sections, the good section (PN) and the evil one (GonziPN).
Noel Cutajar
Feb 13th, 21:53
Yawn!!!
stephen koludrovic
Feb 13th, 21:47
Keep on rocking the cradle FD. Some good for the people should come out of it.
A. Xuereb
Feb 14th, 09:04
For some 'the good' has already arrived. With the possibility of an early election looming the PN has been busy rewarding it s people with promotions. This is fact not fiction! They want to make sure they get as many votes as possible and knowing full well that should Labour be in government these people have no chance in helll of being promoted due to the fact that what got them the promotion is purely party allegiance! So yes Franco do keep rocking the boat because 'the chosen ones' are indeed reaping the benefits of your periodic outburst!
Melvyn Mifsud LLD
Feb 13th, 21:46
As I have said today with regards to my comments regarding Franco Debono's contribution ealrier on in the day, Franco Debono has some very valid points - of paramount importance.
It is also a great pity that few have even a basic knowledge about what the constituion is all about - and the rights it guarantees for it's citizens and others present in Malta.
Despite what has gone on following the New Year, it is a undeniable fact that his contribution within the precints of the Parliament is extremely relevant.
Outside, it will only have the effect of a pressure group.
It is in the interest of the country that you keep working within the framework of democracy .. with the sole aim of improving upon the same. Perhaps, at a faster pace.
Your stand has been made .. the next two steps are to be found.
What we lawyers often refer to as the modus operandi .. with a view of attaining the modus vivendi.
Franco, not only as a colleague, a friend or a Party member.. but as a citizen.
Please return to the fold .. and continue within the accepted structure you strove so hard to achieve.
After all, as I am sure you agree that:
L-aqwa Avukat huwa z-zmien
J Busuttil
Feb 13th, 21:33
Kemm sar bravu Mugliette minn mindu sar back bencher when a minister he never proposed anything anzi he found the prime minister who tried to cover up any insinuations by the MLP. How can you take his comments for real ?
mark borg
Feb 13th, 21:24
Ejja FIDO, obey Gonz ! Franco is pulling again your string and ....has help now as well apparently!