President - ‘winner takes it all’ mentality is wrong

The President of the Republic reiterated his call on the need for constitutional reform, saying the question that needed answering was whether the Maltese Constitution was still relevant for today's realities.

Speaking on Favourite Channel's Reporter, George Abela raised the question of whether laws regulating the appointment of the President and other institutional roles such as the Broadcasting Authority, the Employment Commission and the Auditor General should be changed. "How come the Auditor General need a two-thirds majority to be appointed whilst the President only needs a simple majority?" he asked.

Abela also asked whether the country wants to remain "a two-party state" or show maturity in all public office appointments, that usually demand bipartisan consent.

Abela said the Constitutional reforms are to be discussed in detail during the President's forum to be held in April where speakers will discuss what changes are needed. "Political parties should listen to what the people are saying in this regard," he said.

And Abela also made his comment on meritocracy, saying the mentality of the 'winner takes all' prevailing in Maltese politics was wrong.

Asked whether he ever felt uncomfortable in rubberstamping a law during his tenure, Abela said: "if the situation arose I would have not signed and would have resigned."

In the two-part interview, Abela speaks about his transition from being a lawyer to becoming President of the Republic. He said the change was "drastic, especially for my wife." He said that he never occupied public office  before and the first year of his presidency was hard but it was a "learning curve."

The President expressed his desire to end the presidency in the same manner he started "close to the people."

In regards to the Community Chest Fund and L-Istrina, the President said he has taken a hands-on approach because he believes that the social aspect is the presidency's soul. "The President mush show his closeness to the people even in sad moments."

On L-Istrina, George Abela felt that the event could no longer be organised by a commercial company that organised the event "as it liked." He said his office took up the organisation of the event to "enhance its credibility".