“We cannot allow our democracy to be diluted,” President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca writes in a Talking Point appearing on the print edition of Times of Malta today.

“We cannot shed our responsibilities for short-term political gains. This will only serve the few and not our nation,” she says in her article, the tone of which indicates a deeply concerned President who, however, does not refer to any particular situation.

But she does appear to be worried by the prevailing political situation and urges the political leaders to realise that “short-term gains achieved by escalating tempers will not serve the purpose of our nation but will only serve the short-sightedness, once again, of the few”.

We cannot shed our responsibilities for short-term political gains. This will only serve the few and not our nation

The President also makes an earnest appeal for unity, which, she points out, is not a convenience but, rather, necessary for the country’s well-being. “Unity is not attained off-the-shelf but is a hard-won value that is achieved by everyone’s efforts, through respect, dignity and tolerance,” she says.

Ms Coleiro Preca speaks of “old wounds” and makes an appeal for “such abhorrence” not to bere­opened, adding “let us be careful not to instill hatred among ourselves”.

We have a duty to ensure that history does not repeat itself. We have a duty to ensure a better life for our children. We have a duty to ensure prosperity, peace and well-being for future generations,” the President concludes her article.

In her speech on Republic Day last December, the President had expressed concern at the level of name-calling and verbal aggression in public life. “It will be our Republic that will pay dearly for the worrying deterioration in the manner we interact,” she had said.