Franco Debono says he’s a ‘reformist’, not a rebel

During this evening's parliamentary sitting, the House continued its discussion over the European Union Amendment Bill. The proposed amendment ensures that all EU treaties and amendments are properly scrutinised and ratified by Parliament.

Backbencher Franco Debono, who also took part in the discussion following interventions made by MPs Francis Zammit Dimech and Luciano Busuttil, said he welcomed the ratification as discussions show parliament is "alive".

Debono went on to refer to comments made by the former president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, during his last year's visit to Malta. Buzek had said: "If the heart of the democracy is the people, then parliament must be its soul."

"The amendment is about parliamentary scrutiny. Parliament shouldn't be restricted only to legislating but it should also discuss and control government's work," Debono added.

He added that parliament should now discuss by which voting threshold amendments which become part of the Maltese Constitution are passed. "Should changes in the constitutions remain with a two-thirds threshold, a simply majority?" Debono asked, referring to the Golden Rule which is to become part of the constitution.

The Golden Rule Amendment will make it constitutionally mandatory for government to restrict budgetary deficits and limit the growth of the national debt.

Debono added that it was not only the number of seats which measured government's stability but also its ability to be accountable and responsible for its work.

"Stability is about being accountable and not trying to censor those who work for these principles. I never understood how someone who calls for reforms is called a 'rebel'. That person is a 'reformist' not a rebel," he said, referring to the title he has been given following his recent conflict with government.

"They tell you you have bright ideas. But at the same time they call you a rebel. Will never understand it," he added.

When someone from the opposition reminded him of the 'bicca deputat' comment, Debono complained that people should see how individuals "who remain hidden or have never contested elections are all the time giving advices".

"It's better if they see what that individual is doing rather than the 'bicca deputat' who is sacrificing himself to raise awareness over such important reforms," he added, stopping short at mentioning names.

Debono then referred to comments made by fellow backbencher Robert Arrigo who had described government's position if Debono abstained as a car with a slow puncture. Debono this evening commented that the tyre was "heavy duty".

"I never saw a driver blaming his tyre, especially if the driver himself had been responsible of leaving the roads with potholes," he said, undoubtedly comparing himself with the tyre and government with the driver.

Debono, who continually asks for constitutionally updates, said updating one's constitution is a sign of strength: "It shows a government which continually seeks to exercise democracy, which is alive and keeps itself updated with time."

Referring to Italy for examples, Debono said Italy, despite its current problems, is a strong example of democracy which repeatedly seeks consultation from its citizens through numerous referenda.

On constitutional changes, he went on to add that the President of the Republic should not be elected with a simple majority and called for a national debate over the issue.

Debono said it was highly inadequate for a parliament to waste time discussing issues, such as whether a power station should operate on heavy fuel oil in 2012, instead of discussing important reforms much needed for this country.

"I'm sorry we wasted time discussing controversies such as the honoraria, the Arriva fiasco and the power station when we could have used this time to discuss the role of the public broadcasting service among others.

"Media has an important role in educating the public over the constitution and its reforms. Switching through Italian TV stations one finds several experts discussing current issues, explaining the public what's going on in parliament. It is also what local media should do."

Debono added that when government had decided to start the process for constitutional reform, the committee meeting was to be held behind closed doors.

"I said it had been doomed from the start. In fact, the committee did not last for long," he said.

Debono reiterated that parliament should be autonomous. Pointing again to the parliamentary honoraria increase in 2008, he said that the worse thing about it was not the timing but how the decision went against parliament's autonomy. "It is a right of parliament to set the honoraria. Today we are discussing to make it mandatory for parliament to scrutinise government. At the same time, parliament must be autonomous from government's executive," he said.