Good governance – It’s our right

We have been hearing all about “good governance” for quite some time now. Indeed, it would have been better if we never had to actually refer to it, for that would mean that all is well and good. However, the political scenario in Malta has been overtaken by an overwhelming series of events to the extent that we have found ourselves questioning the very basis of our democratic pillars, through all of which good governance should emerge as a given.

Good governance in public life is essentially all about the ability to lead a country responsibly and with accountability. It means that when those leading the country slip up, the system immediately kicks in and ensures that those mistakes are rectified for the benefit of all citizens and society at large. Politicians are human and as such, they are and will always be prone to make mistakes. Whenever this happens, the country should be able to have absolute and unfailing reliance on its institutions to quite simply step in and put things back on the right track.

What we have been experiencing over the past months and years is a gradual and marked erosion of this fundamental system. This erosion, on reflection, has been so systematic as to be reasonably considered to have been deliberate. When a small group of persons in power effectively and with careful execution, take control of the most important institutions and wrench away their executive powers, society is no longer able to rectify situations in an independent manner. This is when the rule of law fails.

Good governance is also about normality where all the institutions act in harmony in support of democracy and freedom. The erosion of the effectiveness and trustworthiness of these institutions stands out as the unenviable legacy of this government.

Joseph Muscat’s government glaringly and disappointingly for many, failed to deliver on its most crucial promises of transparency, meritocracy and accountability. What has emerged instead is a shameful and underhand parallel road map of undiluted corruption, evidenced in one doubt-ridden contract after another, crowned and confirmed by the refusal of the Prime Minister to sack his most powerful Minister and his Chief of Staff immediately as the Panama Papers scandal emerged. 

The moment when a politician puts himself and his inner circle before his country and its moral well-being is when good governance becomes side-lined. When that politician is none other than the Prime Minister himself, good governance is well-nigh buried six feet under.

Once again, we as a nation are at a crossroads. These elections go way beyond any one single issue or proposal. It is all about putting Malta back on the track of good governance, where the institutions on which our democracy is built, not only function well, as indeed we have the fullest right to expect, but also command the respect and trust of all citizens locally and of all present and future foreign investors. We all yearn for normality and for the opportunity to set things back on the right track. We want to know that our rights will be upheld and that when we turn to our institutions for justice and for the defence of our rights and safeguards, we do not have to even remotely think twice about who is behind them. 

Let us all play our part to shift back from the unbelievably surreal to establishing once and for all a country not only based on the untouchable rule of law but sure in the knowledge that all those institutions which ensure it work, no matter what and certainly no matter whom. A country in which our children can pursue and proceed in their plans, aspirations and careers in the confidence that when they are ready to set off and make their mark, it will not matter who they are, to whom they are related or what colour they associate with. 

I feel privileged to have been part of the team of officials at the head of the administration of the Nationalist Party for the past four years and have seen first-hand Simon Busuttil’s dedication, determination, sincerity and integrity at work.

I opt to choose Malta based on the clear and unwavering vision of Simon Busuttil intent on re-establishing good governance as the order of the day, such that we, the people, will take this good governance as a reflection of the rule of law and as our inalienable right, a right which will once again be here to stay.

Alex Perici Calascione is contesting the election as a PN candidate on the eleventh district