President urges ‘courteous’ and ‘respectful’ general election

President George Abela has called on political parties to behave with courtesy and respect towards one another in the coming general election, urging them to base their debate on rational arguments and to avoid personal attacks.

During his customary Christmas address, Abela noted that that the coming year will bring with it a general election, remarking that this will intensify the political debate that has already been ongoing for some time.

"A healthy democracy requires open and free debate, accessible to everyone, informed and civil. Everyone has the right to his or her own opinion, as well as the right to disseminate and broadcast this opinion so as to convince others through modern channels of communication," Able said.

The President said that he "remains hopeful that this will be done in the best way, in an atmosphere of mutual courtesy and respect between the parties involved and based on rational arguments regarding the issues that the people are concerned with, without personal attacks that do no honour to those who resort to them."

He also argued that the coming government will be guided "by the common good and will work towards greater social justice."

In his message, the President also praised the manner in which the Maltese people values the principle of the family, noting that while 2011 was characterised by the divorce debate, 2012 saw the discussion of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and the law dealing with "the protection of the foetus."

"One can note with pleasure that this debate unfolded with maturity and openness, even if, as happens in a democracy country, there were different opinions. I think that this debate showed above all that, as a nation, we have at heart not only ethical values in general, but especially, the protection and dignity of the human life from conception to a natural death," Abela said.

Abela noted that "a healthy society needs to founded upon the respect for values" adding that while a society may change politically, socially, and culturally, "certain fundamental values to do not change" such as loyalty, honest, respect, and integrity.

The President said that every citizen must respect these values that regulate his or her behaviour both privately and professionally, adding also that "society expects a special respect of these values from certain public officials."

Abela noted that among these officials is the judiciary, and noted how events in the recent weeks affected the judiciary negatively.

"I say without hesitation that I was shocked and displeased with the allegations we heard, but I certain did not lose trust in the judiciary, the majority of which exercises its function with exemplar honesty and integrity."

At the same time, Abela said that he feels "comforted" by the fact that the country enjoys "an effective system to assure that nobody is above the law."

He also noted that "no reform can guarantee the integrity of public officials," insisting that "this guarantee can only come from the individual in question, that he or she comports him or herself in a manner that respects the highest moral and ethical values that the position entails."

Abela also noted that 2012 was busy with significant events, both local and international, among them being the European and global economic downturn.

He said that Malta cannot help but feel the effects of the economic instability that has been ongoing for some time now, and said that "our families had to face the consequences of rising prices which could cause difficulties to those families with low income."

He said that despite this, "our economy remained relatively strong and employment, compared to a number of European countries, is relatively contained." He added that certain sectors of the economy, such as tourism and financial services, also remained strong, and expressed the hope that they "keep strengthening."

Able urged the country "to remain prepared for economic developments which can emerge in European and global markets" during the coming year.

He said that he is confident that "if there is national unity and solidarity keeps growing towards all members of society, we will be able to meet what emerges head on, with the best tools at our disposal."

He said that in the current economic climate, "we need to give more importance to the notion of social justice" and emphasised that "those who are most in need should be helped the most" pointing to families at risk of poverty, people with special needs, and those seeking adequate employment.

"I believe that it is the level of social justice that distinguishes one country from another in practice," adding that "social justice cannot happen without an equal distribution of the national wealth, and if there is an exaggerated disparity between those who have a very high income and those who have an income that does not permit a decent living according to today's expectations."

Abela also noted that 2012 was the European Year for Active Aging and Solidarity Between Generations, adding that this does not mean that further activities in this regard should not be held. He said that society should further recognise the contribution that older people can give by remaining active and involved in their community.

"If youth have energy and enthusiasm in the voluntary work sector, the elderly have the wisdom and experience to contribute," Abele said, urging young and old to strengthen their links and retain contact "in the spirit of solidarity between the generations" and "cooperate through voluntary work for the common good."

Abela also noted that solidarity is a very important characteristic, adding that "I see it every day in my charity work." He added that the success of the L-Istrina, as well as the wealth of voluntary charity organisations active in Malta are a testament to this.

Abele said that this year too, the Malta Community Chest Fund was able to get together a large sum of donations, and took the occasion to thank those involved or who contributed "The good that will be done thanks to the funds gathered is to the satisfaction of the entire Maltese population."

The President also noted that during the festive season, perhaps more than the rest of the year, our thoughts should turn to those who find themselves alone, those who are incarcerated in Cordin, those who are ill or have special needs (as well as their families), and those who find themselves without work or have family problems.

"I urge those who can to lend courage to those who are in need by means of encouragement, or some other form of solidarity. Every act of support, sympathy, or solidarity towards our neighbour has large value and can fill the gulf that is left by solitude or hopelessness," Abela said.