De Marco warns youths risk growing disillusioned with politicians

PN deputy leader Mario de Marco expressed his fear that several youths are growing disillusioned with the political class, warning that “an entire political generation” is at stake.

Addressing Parliament, he pinned the blame on political disillusionment wholly on the government, who he accused of betraying the public’s trust by breaking its pre-electoral pledges of good governance.

“I am scared that people will grow fed up with the entire political class and that parties will not be able to attract the next generation of people who hold the same values that our forefathers had held dear,” he said. “The future of politics rests on our ability to attract a new generation of candidates, who enter politics because they truly believe that they can change this country for the better.”

He urged the government to use its remaining time until the next election to address its governance shortcomings, but said he is convinced that it will “continue down its route of division, secrecy and non-meritocracy”.

Speaking during a debate on a Bill that assigns statutory responsibilities to ministers, De Marco warned the government not to attempt to use recent economic success as a crutch.

“The government is living the illusion that it can close its eyes to all the shortcomings in the political system, just because some sectors of the economy are doing well,” he said.

He accused the government of breaking its pre-electoral pledges of accountability, transparency and meritocracy and reeled off a list of controversies and scandals – including the Panama Papers, the opacity of certain public contracts, and recent corruption allegations against Central Bank governor-elect Alfred Mifsud.

Justice minister Owen Bonnici hailed the Bill as one that will remove grey areas concerning which ministers are responsible for which laws.

“Government often encounters problems in that some laws have been assigned responsibility to a ministry that no longer exists or that has since been split into two,” he said. “The Bill mightn’t change anything for the man in the street, but it is important for administrative flexibility and will make life easier for future prime ministers.”

Justice minister Owen Bonnici repeated Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s claim that the recent murder of British MP Jo Cox was an “eye-opener” against hate speech.

“As politicians, we must distance ourselves from those who sow hate. Unfortunately, some people in Malta sow a lot of hated and attack people in political positions and those associated with political positions in the most cruel and psychologically damaging way possible.

“It is positive for the Opposition to criticise constructively, but some criticism has crossed the line and it is too easy for politicians to distance themselves from these critics by saying that they have no connection to them.”

He accused “quarters of the Opposition” for insulting talented people –such as retired judge Giovanni Bonello and PBS chairman Anton Attard – for accepting government roles, and new magistrates and judges for having once played a part within the Labour Party.

“Should a person’s history in a particular party preclude them from serving the country?” he questioned. “No part of the country has a monopoly on talent.”

He urged MPs to use the upcoming summer recess from parliamentary work to reflect on whether their speeches have done more good or harm to the political class.

He said he will strive to discuss ideas. On paper, Malta – a tiny island without oil or natural resources - should not have been able to succeed in the 21st century, and yet it did so thanks to successive governments. People who are honest with themselves will realize that this government may not be perfect, but is striving to improve the country.”