Opinion
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Out of the box
It’s that time of the year when the season finales of my favourite shows hit all together. An annoying time of year, to be sure, leaving us with many a cliffhanger on one end, and eager anticipation to meet up once again with the old heroes from...
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Time off for bad behaviour...
The article didn’t quite appear on April 1, so I have to assume it’s stating a fact. Apparently something called the British Equality and Human Rights Commission, as a result of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, has put the cat among...
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Improving access to finance
Malta has recently been lauded by the International Monetary Fund for its strong economic model. This success would not have been possible without the entrepreneurial perseverance demonstrated over the years by the business community. However, more...
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Matters monetary mania
The news is dominated, as I write, by the barbaric murder in London. Linked by its perpetrators to British involvement in Afghanistan and other parts of the Muslim world, condemned by non-insane Muslim leaders, the brutal act gave an excuse to...
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No holidays for Nationalists
Today, Nationalist Party councillors are once again summoned to cast their votes in four elections. The two deputy leaders, the president of the general council and the 13 members of the executive have to be elected. This is indeed an important day...
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Morally questionable
The arbitrary removal of the Malta Communications Authority chairman Antonio Ghio, who also happened to be Malta’s digital champion, is unacceptable. It is legally unsound and morally questionable. Through my first parliamentary question in the...
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The cost of partisanship
The dust that was raised over the electoral arena has now settled and the new team led by Joseph Muscat had sufficient time to grip the administrative ropes. Having completed their stocktaking for the year 2013, Cabinet ministers are peering into...
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Why a new Constitution
The commentary on the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct (judiciarymalta.gov.mt under Code of Ethics) quotes the “forbidden zones upon which authority may not trespass” for there to be “the enjoyment of individual liberty”. This is the essence...
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Comparisons are shameful
The Reuters report underlining that Malta “is unlikely to follow Cyprus into crisis” should be welcomed by all Maltese citizens. It does justice to our healthy economy and to the robust bank regulatory framework. Moreover, it should be considered to...
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A matter of human dignity
Hatred, violence, suppression and denial of basic human rights are poisonous substances that can destroy the peace and tranquillity of an entire society. Moreover, they attack human values, so much so that people become so very cruel and...
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Rogues and pariahs of this world
A number of states in the international system are diplomatically isolated because of their political system or political leaders. Such states often defy international law and diplomatic convention. Analysts usually refer to such entities as...
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Danger to vulnerable road users
Times of Malta reported the case of a cyclist who was severely injured in a road accident (Motorist Fined €200 After Hitting Cyclist, Breaking His Legs, May 13). The driver, who eventually admitted responsibility for the accident, was awarded a...
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The Syrian blowback
The law of unintended consequences is taking its toll on every major actor in Syria. It was Bashar al-Assad who reaped the whirlwind given the way he brutally reacted to largely peaceful demonstrators two years ago. But the rebels and their...
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Let’s focus on the cause
I have followed closely the ‘hullabaloo’-turned-‘controversy’ of Darleen Zerafa being offered a bursary following a unanimous decision by the Malta Community Chest Fund board (and offer that she immediately declined as evidenced, among other, in the...
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EU arms embargo on Syria
Two years after the conflict in Syria, which claimed about 70,000 lives so far, the European Union still has an arms embargo in place against that country. However, the arms embargo is due to expire on June 1. Therefore, a debate is taking place as...
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More than a buzzword
I always go out of my way to try and meet any constituted body or organisation that asks for an appointment, even if it might not be directly linked to my portfolio. Particularly when they set out their agenda requests. In the past few months in...
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You can come in, we’re open
The Nationalist Party is going through a generational change. And this is not just about a change in people but also about a change in the party’s structures and organisation. Following my election at the head of the party two weeks ago, the new...
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A meeting with Andreotti
Lingering memories of the great statesman abound. In 1989, when the Second World Conference on Peace and Politics was held in Malta, following the first one in Assisi, Italy, two years earlier, the Comunita’ di Sant’Egidio asked me to chair the...
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EU exit in the Constitution
Most of us, I am sure, will agree that membership of the European Union cannot be seen as just another international agreement or convention that Malta adheres to. EU membership has changed and will continue to change some of the most important...
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If we miss the bus forever
The double page spread in Times of Malta last Friday showing works by Maltese architect and artist Richard England hit me in the eye. There they were, England’s proposals for a theatre on the site of the Royal Opera House, which, I am sure, must...
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