President calls for electoral reforms that end political duopoly

Speaking on TVM's Xtra, President Myriam Spiteri Debono stated that small parties need to find common ground if they want to succeed, saying they are currently fragmented

'The people have already shown us that they’re ready to sit out elections last June' (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)
'The people have already shown us that they’re ready to sit out elections last June' (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

It’s time for Malta’s electoral laws to make space for small parties, or risk having an ever-growing chunk of the electorate become apathetic, President Myriam Spiteri Debono stated. 

On TVM’s Xtra on Monday, the show’s host Saviour Balzan quizzed the President on a number of statements she made in speeches in less than a year since taking office. 

When asked to explain why she had mentioned electoral legislation, Spiteri Deboni said that she had been speaking about the need for parties in parliament since the 1990s.

“The people have already shown us that they’re ready to sit out elections last June,” she said referring to the MEP and local council elections. “Are we really going to cling on to the same system when the people are showing us that they’re prepared to stay at home during elections?”

(Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)
(Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

Commenting on the current electoral system, Spiteri Debono spoke with frustration about the fact that as of right now, third parties can only be elected in theory.

Here she called on those who aspire to enter politics under a new banner to stick together and find common ground. When she was directly asked by Balzan whether she believes the current players are fragmented, the President said yes.

The President also discussed the importance of better party financing laws, noting that there are “perceptions that political parties have certain obligations,” to which Balzan said “there’s a perception that the parties are bought.” 

Spiteri Deboni called on reducing these “obligations.”

She further spoke about the prevalence of MPs being paid for sitting on government boards, and how this is necessary because they are not currently being paid enough. “Sometimes I feel like we’ve built the parliament building alone. We cannot move forward with just a building,” she stated, referring to the lack of proper parliamentary structures and systems.

Meanwhile, President Spiteri Debono was also asked on the upcoming discussion on euthanasia. She noted that the discussion on this sensitive topic should be profound, adding that during this discussion, the exact type of euthanasia that could be introduced should be defined.

Pairing euthanasia with abortion, she said that a referendum on each issue would be the best tool to decide a way forward on the controversial subjects.

On the Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF), which Spiteri Debono described as "the national charity," she noted that its original purpose was to give aid for a number of social problems, but by time, it was "engulfed" by the need for oncology treatment. 

When asked whether she's eyeing more changes to the MCCF, the President said that there was a time when NGOs would approach the fund for help in rolling out projects, adding that the time has come to revisit this concept.

Finally, the President was asked about her relationship with the Prime Minister and opposition leader. She explained that while her relationship with them is good, "it can always be better," adding that she meets with them regularly, and that there are things which she needs to iron out with both of them.

Former minister dismisses suggestion to make space for third parties

In reaction to the President’s comments on electoral reform, former justice minister Edward Zammit Lewis said one needs to specify how this reform should be carried out.

“There is no doubt that we need to move away from a culture of opposing opinions as if we are two football teams. The plurality of opinions is something beneficial for a modern and functioning democracy,” he said.

“However, in European Parliament elections, the number of seats per country is allocated by the EU, and moreover, all of Malta serves as a single electoral district. Still, the will of the people has never been to elect independent candidates or candidates from small parties, election after election.”

He also said that the Single Transferable Vote system, used in Malta, is considered one of the best electoral systems for enabling a plurality of parties in parliament.

“There is no better or fairer system than this. Despite this, the will of the people has been clear, election after election,” he said.

“The electorate is sovereign. This also applies to who enters Parliament. Only those who work to secure the people's votes and contest the General Election should enter Parliament. That is Parliamentary democracy!”