Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1515545
4 NEWS 4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 7 FEBRUARY 2024 "Considering how recreational it has become... they have made it appear as if it's as commonplace as drinking a glass of water." George Vella on cannabis law MARIANNA CALLEJA mcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt PRESIDENT George Vella hint- ed at a possible government collapse during the 2019 po- litical crisis, when interviewed on TVM's XTRA on Monday evening. "The Lord illuminated me to stay linear to the constitution, and when the decision was tak- en, it was taken by the prime actors involved," Vella told host Saviour Balzan. "Had I listened to certain advice, things could have taken a darker turn." In an interview on TVM's Xtra, Vella was discussing for- mer Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's resignation in De- cember 2019. The former PM had faced calls to resign after the prime suspect in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder Yorgen Fenech tried to flee Malta on his pri- vate boat. The President was asked on rumours at the time that a pos- sible early election could be called. "The President is not the ex- ecutive. I was in a position that I could observe what is hap- pening, but I could never go against the constitution," Vella said. He insisted that he never imposed any decision on gov- ernment. When pressed by host Saviour Balzan on whether he was pres- sured into pushing for a gener- al election, Vella said he would not comment on that. "Developments happened, decisions were made. But they were made when they needed to be made by those who need- ed to make them," Vella said. Recreational cannabis has become normalised George Vella also spoke about the internal struggles he had when it came to signing the can- nabis law. "What strengthened my heart at that time was that there would be a controlling authority, and it would have an influence on how things would go on," Vella said. "I had, and continue to have, meet- ings where I impress upon them (ARUC) the responsibility to guide the government on what it should do." However, he expressed disap- pointment as he commented on the persistent prevalence of smuggling and the financial mo- tivations underlying such illicit activities. "Considering how recreational it has become... they have made it appear as if it's as commonplace as drinking a glass of water," Vella remarked. President disappointed with constitutional reform George Vella also expressed his disappointment with the lack of progress on the constitutional reform. On Xtra, he criticised the Prime minister and the Opposition leader for failing to reach an agreement, resulting in the Presi- dent's efforts going to waste. "One would expect better in such situations," Vella remarked. "The committee had been dil- igently working on addressing constitutional reform. However, the journey was far from easy, and ultimately, it was abruptly cut short." Vella recalled how the Venice Commission had proposed its own constitutional changes, fo- cusing on restructuring the ju- diciary, the presidency, and the office of the attorney general. "What's the point of me sup- porting Ċikku Camilleri, and then they tell me I don't trust him?" Vella questioned. As discussions continued, even with his efforts, the party leaders found it challenging to appoint a suitable person. The situation escalated to the point that meet- ings involving key representatives were being cancelled. George Vella: Government collapse was possible during 2019 political crisis President George Vella (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) President George Vella (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) By means of an application filed in the Civil Court of Voluntary Jurisdiction Section, on the 15th December, 2023, Application number 1986/2023, by Maria Emanuela Micallef et whereby they requested that it be declared open in favor of Maria-Emanuela Micallef, wife of the decujus, in the quota of one half (1/2) undivided share and the remaining one half (1/2) undivided share in favor of Antonella Micallef and Christian Ray Micallef children of the de- cujus, in the quota of one fourth (1/4) undivided share each one of them the succession of Raymond Micallef. husband of Maria-Emanuela Micallef nee Bellia, son of the late Francis Micallef and Josephine Micallef nee Micallef, born in Pieta, Malta, resided in St. Paul's Bay, Malta and died in Imsida, on the 16th August 2023 aged 69 and who held identity card number 443554(M). Wherefore, any person who believes to have an interest in the matter is here- by called upon to appear before the said Court and to bring forward his ob- jections hereto by a minute to be filed within fifteen days from posting of the banns and notices according to law. Registry of the Civil Court, Voluntary Jurisdiction Section Today 26th January, 2024 ALEXANDRA DEBATTISTA For the Registrar, Civil Court and Tribunals.