Denise Grech elicited some reactions to the inaugural speech of Malta’s 10th president, George Vella, after he was sworn in on Thursday.

High expectations surround newly-appointed President George Vella after his inaugural speech, which gave hope that he would raise his voice against environmental destruction, spearhead broad consultations on constitutional reform and speak out on behalf of the marginalised.

Dr Vella said he hoped to be a moral compass for the country and to work to heal divisions, including those caused by the blots on Malta’s character stemming from the murders of Karin Grech, Raymond Caruana and Daphne Caruana Galizia.

During his speech, he also referred to poverty, the harm done to the environment and the right of everyone to a decent quality of life. He said he accepted to take on the role of serving people and to promote Malta’s values, including the fair distribution of wealth.

His declaration that he would resign if faced with the choice to sign a Bill legalising abortion received praise from the pro-life community, while pro-choice activists said his position was “unfortunate”.

Others kept their feet on the ground: in the context of upholding the rule of law, the role of any president was limited.

President: “The threat of the ‘built-up’ environment as opposed to the ‘natural’ environment is all the more evident, and is becoming more apparent.”

It was “refreshing” to hear a President who understood the links between the environment and health and well-being, when institutions seem to have buried their heads in the murky sands of policies, NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa said.

“We were certainly very happy to hear the President of the Republic express his concerns about what is happening to our built and natural environment, and to pledge to defend such heritage,” the organisation’s head Alex Torpiano said.

President: “We cannot allow ourselves to think that, thanks to our country’s remarkable economic performance, there is no material poverty among our citizens.”

Caritas said Dr Vella’s speech indicated he will be a strong voice for social justice and people in poverty.

These two things were challenging authorities in ensuring no one gets left behind, Caritas director Anthony Gatt said.

We look forward to seeing our President act as the moral compass he promises himself to be

The organisation also praised Dr Vella’s opposition on abortion, saying it augured well that other issues related to the protection of life, such as policies against drug abuse, would remain on the national agenda.

President: “While the need to reform [the Constitution] in earnest is being felt, I hold that we need to be diligent and cautious in our approach.”

Repubblika, which promotes the rule of law, said it was encouraged by the President’s comments on constitutional reform.

“The President seems to be giving a cautionary note here, which we certainly support,” they said, adding this was a signal to the government that “wanted to rush through changes”.

Read: 'I never imagined myself in this position', says President Vella

Their message, like the message of the President, was that consultation on the constitutional reform would not proceed with haste.

Rule of law, they insisted, was in crisis. “Constitutional reform can change that but it is only part of it,” they said. “The root of it is the fact that people who are in government continue to act with impunity,” Repubblika added.

“The President speaks of moral guidance, but within the very limited powers he has, you can only do so much. We have high hopes [on improvements in the rule of law], but not from Dr Vella, or anyone that can be President – because the role of the President is limited in addressing these issues.”

President: “I will continue to see that there is respect for medical and moral ethics including respect for life from its very beginning.”

Catholic Voices Malta said the appointment of George Vella had a lot of positive aspects. It cited his defence of the vulnerable, including the unborn child. 

The President’s speech clearly showed his commitment to place the person at the centre of his presidency, it said.

“We look forward to see our President act as the moral compass he promises himself to be and as Catholic Voices Malta we wish him all the best.”

However, the Voice for Choice, a coalition of women’s rights organisations, said his unequivocal stance against abortion was “unfortunate”. “His call for unity is very laudable, but we cannot have unity while still spreading stigma,” the coalition said.

The Women’s Rights Foundation, on the other hand, said they commended the President’s support for women’s protection and civil liberties.

President: “We have an important role to fulfil in Euro-Mediterranean relations, in bringing Europe closer to the Arab world, in the future development of the African continent, and in inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.”

Catholic Voices also welcomed this declaration, saying that inviting representatives of other religions to Church service before his inauguration in itself was an important message: he wanted to foster a culture of dialogue and be a “President for all,” it said.