Rebecca Buttigieg, Lead participant

Malta’s Constitution provides for a strong Opposition which plays a significant role in Parliament by actively contributing towards new laws and policies. By law, the Opposition is also consulted on the appointment of persons heading institutions such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Auditor General.

Therefore, as things stand, the highest legislative text of our country already provides for the necessary checks and balances through the effective functioning of an Opposition. Locally, the Opposition party is also the owner of various media outlets, which positions it in a stronger position to scrutinize the work of the government.

There are those who argue that Malta’s democracy can be threatened by the fact the current Opposition is in shambles. I beg to differ.

This country has the necessary separation of powers aimed at ensuring a strong democracy. The fact that the party in Opposition is in crisis is purely the result of lack of leadership that the current leader of the Nationalist Party and his predecessor have shown.

Adrian Delia’s energetic campaign and call for a ‘New Way’ of doing politics managed to engage many people. Regrettably, the Delia effect was short lived

During his tenure, Simon Busuttil did not give the Opposition a real reason to exist, and renew itself, as he embarked on a national campaign based on lies. The Opposition had no vision for the country and the Nationalist Party suffered the largest defeat at the polls in Malta’s political history.

The Nationalist Party then elected Adrian Delia as its new leader. In what can be described as a surprising outcome, his energetic campaign and call for a ‘New Way’ of doing politics managed to engage many people. Regrettably, the Delia effect was short lived.

After more than a year, he did not even manage to gain the necessary respect within his party. This was clearly manifested when one of Delia’s most important decisions following the conclusions of the Egrant magisterial inquiry was overruled by his own parliamentary group which chose to support his predecessor instead of rallying behind him.

Proposing absolutely no new ideas in his first year at the helm, Delia has been trying to perform a balancing act between introducing change and pleasing the old guard of the party. The result? The Opposition has continued to lose support.

The Opposition should promote a responsible and reasoned approach. Through healthy debates, Delia can encourage some kind of national conversation and push democratic discussion to a higher level of political development and maturity. Keeping issues alive in a non-divisive manner is crucial.

In the current scenario, I do not believe that it is up to the State to ensure an effective Opposition but rather it should be the leader of Opposition who should do so.

By not being united enough to form a strong Opposition, the Nationalist Party has let democracy down.

Godfrey Farrugia, Leader of Democratic Party

Working within the context of the Constitution, the health of our political system has been defined by the behaviour of successive prime ministers and leaders of the Opposition.

This informal system worked as long as the leaders of the country had a modicum of ethical behaviour and respect for the spirit in which our Constitution was drawn up. Judge Giovanni Bonello said that “its main weakness is that it is a Constitution written by gentlemen for gentlemen”.

That sort of leadership is practically non-existent today. Further separation of powers must therefore be put in place for institutions to function effectively. 

For this to be achievable a new generation of lawmakers has to be nurtured. Our Constitution needs to be strengthened with strong written safeguards. 

Our institutions need to be rebuilt and repopulated with competent, responsible and well-trained individuals who will ensure that the institutions they run are autonomous and serve the people, not the political parties. 

The Opposition needs to be given more powers to conduct its duties. This should include more access to documents and contracts

The fourth estate, the media, has to be given the space and freedom to operate, and the country protected from the dissemination of fake news, thrown at a gullible population in waves, often also by transnational powers with their own agendas.

Parliament should be allowed to function without the excessive interference of the executive. The present Standing Orders favour those in power. To add insult to injury, the government’s backbench has been hijacked as MPs are employed or are given contracts, creating conflicts of interest.

The Opposition also needs to be given more powers to conduct its duties. This should include more access to documents and contracts held by the government and that the parliamentary questions asked by MPs are answered in a timely fashion and in a detailed manner.

There should be a Prime Minister’s Question Time. The Opposition should be afforded parliamentary resources which should be allocated by the Speaker and not by party whips. Bills should not be rushed through all stages of the House, preventing the Opposition from effectively discussing them.

Private members’ motions need more frequent acknowledgement andthe Opposition should chair more standing and select committees rather than just the PAC. These measures must be achieved by amending the present Standing Orders. 

A strong Opposition is also one which does not compromise when it comes to the interests of the public. Malta has been plagued by bi-partisan politics that have led to a long-term erosion of political credibility. This is further jeopardised by unregulated lobbying and party financing. The PD is for the nurturing of democracy and the autonomy and independence of our institutions. In so doing, an Opposition will function effectively without the need for State interventions. Malta needs reawakening. The PD is determined to fix this broken system.

The Nationalist Party did not send in its contribution instead writing: “This week’s question is biased and untrue. While we are willing to continue to contribute for more Question Time articles we cannot contribute to questions that are prejudiced.”

If you would like to put any questions to the parties in Parliament send an e-mail marked clearly Question Time to editor@timesofmalta.com.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece