Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/286290
27 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 MARCH 2014 Opinion divorce or abortion. De Marco said he would have no hesitation in signing the divorce law because (and here I paraphrase from memory): "I do not want to be the dictator of Malta". He added, however, that he would refuse to sign the abortion bill on principle, and – a hugely important detail that seems to have escaped the notice of all other Presidents – HE WOULD RESIGN. Well, by my count that leaves us with only one of the last four Presidents who actually understood the responsibility of the role i.e. that there is (or should be) a price to pay for a President who defies government by refusing to fulfil his only obligation at law. The other three? "Apres moi la deluge". The only consideration ever expressed by Abela, Eddie Fenech Adami and Carm Mifsud Bonnici was that their own conscience was paramount in all circumstances, superseding even the demands of the Constitution. Absurdly, they all seem to believe that Presidents are legally entitled to stay on in the role, even if they don't perform the only legal function that is expected of them. In Abela's case (and Fenech Adami's, come to think of it) he proved successful, too. He will be allowed to stay until the end of his term, which expires next week. Everything else, including a law which was promised before the last election and eagerly anticipated by many, simply has to wait until His Maje… I mean, His Excellency has left the building. Yes indeed. Just like a king from an old Mel Brooks movie. At this point I honestly don't know what is more offensive: Abela's presumption of moral superiority or Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's cowardice in simply backing off with his tail between his legs. As it happens, Muscat chose not to force the issue by presenting President Abela with the bill to sign, regardless of his moral qualms. He did not call his bluff; he did not challenge Abela to specify on what legal grounds he could refuse to sign the bill, when the Constitution clearly gives him no legal leg to stand on. Instead he merely bowed to the President's presumption, and postponed the issue until he after he steps down next Tuesday. That's another way of saying that Joseph Muscat kept up a long and illustrious tradition of sweeping unresolved issues under the carpet, leaving them to fester so that they can continue rearing their ugly head in future. As a result, all tomorrow's Presidents will always be able to cite personal moral opinions as an excuse to sabotage future governments. As before, it leaves us entirely at the mercy of the private moral fantasies of people who seem to genuinely believe that they have a God-given right to shovel those fantasies down our collective throats. And there are indications that the situation may compound itself further, too. Shortly after George Abela refused to ratify the civil union's bill, he ended his presidency with a plea for Constitutional reform to give 'more autonomy' to the President. Because that's precisely what's needed right now, isn't it? A Constitutional reform to grant the President even greater decision- making facilities, with even fewer strings attached. More power, less responsibility. The automatic ability to have the last say on matters decided by a Parliament that – unlike his own office – is directly elected by the people of the Republic; and of course, the ability to place his own moral stamp on proceedings, even if the electorate votes otherwise. In brief, a return to the good old pre-enlightenment days when it really was 'good to be the King'. So yes, President Abela, whatever you say. Your wish is our command. Meanwhile, are there any other privileges and powers you'd like us to include in the Constitution while you're at it? Mastery over the known universe, perhaps? On one thing, however, I must concede that Abela is right. A Constitutional reform is indeed required; and the impasse concerning the civil unions bill has graphically illustrated precisely what needs to be reformed. Seeing how this issue alone has exposed the sheer toothlessness of government when faced with an unconstitutional challenge to its authority – unable to take any action at all, other than to sheepishly wait in the wings until the source of the problem simply goes away on its own – it has become painfully apparent to everyone that the Constitution simply fails to address the crucial question of what happens when Presidents defy governments. There is no indication whatsoever of what procedures should kick in when a President refuses to approve a law, as he is bound to do by the same Constitution. Isn't it time we closed up this loophole once and for all? Or shall we just wait for the next time a President suddenly decides to develop a 'crisis of conscience' that permits him or her to hamstring governments, and to place his or her own moral convictions above and beyond the entire democratic process, in which case, we'll all just pretend not to notice until that President's term expires? No prizes for guessing the correct answer… It's good to be the President Secure Investment Secure Investment Issue of Issue of €35 35,000,000 ,000,000 in F in Fixed ixed Rate Malta Government Stocks Rate Malta Government Stocks (subject to the over (subject to the over-allotment option of allotment option of an additional sum of an additional sum of €20,000,000) 0,000,000) MALTA GOVERNMENT MALTA GOVERNMENT STOCKS STOCKS _______ _______ (i) ) 3.2% 3.2% MGS ( MGS (Fift Fifth Issue) h Issue) – Fungibility Issue Fungibility Issue Maturing in 201 Maturing in 2019, and and _______ (ii) (ii) 4.45 4.45 MGS (S MGS (Second econd Issue) Issue) – Fungibility Issue Fungibility Issue Maturing in 20 Maturing in 2032 32, or or (iii) Any combination of the above two Stocks which (iii) Any combination of the above two Stocks which in the aggregate shall be in the aggregate shall be €35 35,000,000 ,000,000 Fixed Rate Malta Government Stocks The Treasury will be issuing €35,000,000 Fixed Rate Malta Government Stocks subject to an over-allotment option of an additional sum of €20,000,000 as follows: MALTA GOVERNMENT STOCK FOR SAFE INVESTMENT AND LIQUIDITY MALTA GOVERNMENT STOCK FOR SAFE INVESTMENT AND LIQUIDITY WITH INTEREST PAID UP TO THE DAY OF RE WITH INTEREST PAID UP TO THE DAY OF RE-SALE OF STOCK SALE OF STOCK SECURITY SECURITY CONTINUOUS LIQUIDITY CONTINUOUS LIQUIDITY INTEREST EVERY SIX MONTHS INTEREST EVERY SIX MONTHS (The value of the investment may go up or down during the tenor of the Stock) Treasury Department, The Mall Building, The Mall Treasury Department, The Mall Building, The Mall - Floriana, Malta. Floriana, Malta. Applications in the form of sealed bids (auction) for a minimum of €250,000 and multiples of €50,000 each open on Thursday 3 rd April, 2014 at 8.30a.m. and close at noon on Friday 4 th April, 2014 or earlier at the discretion of the Accountant General. Bids Bids on on the the prescribed prescribed forms forms are are to to be be deposited deposited in in the the Treasury Treasury Tender Tender Box Box in in Floriana Floriana or or transmitted transmitted by by fax fax on on 2596 2596 7210 7210 or or by by e-mail mail at at the the e-mail mail addresses addresses indicated indicated on on the the application application form form. Application Application forms forms may may be be obtained obtained from from all all Members Members of of the the Malta Malta Stock Stock Exchange Exchange and and other other authorized authorized Investment Investment Service Service Providers Providers or or downloaded downloaded from from the the Treasury's Treasury's website website at at www www.treasury treasury.gov gov.mt mt. The man who once candidly informed us that he "can't be everybody's President" has now decided to arbitrarily lengthen the list of minorities to be excluded from his Presidency