Former PN ministers shoot down recommendation for 10-year limit

Former Nationalist ministers have shot down the recommendation for a two-term limit for ministers put forward by the PN commission analysing the 2013 electoral loss.

The recommendation, one of many in a 38-page analysis, suggests that ministers should serve for a maximum of 10 years, irrespective of the ministries they occupy. The proposal has prompted mixed reactions, with some telling MaltaToday that a self-imposed limit just for the sake of change was not the answer.

While PN leader Simon Busuttil did not want to commit to an opinion on the matter, former ministers like Louis Deguara and Tonio Fenech shot down the suggestion, insisting that the decision should rest on the person's merit.

As a preamble, Busuttil said it was important to note that "an independent commission," which operated at arms' length from the PN, had produced the report.

"This means that its conclusions were not influenced by the PN and its conclusions do not necessarily reflect the views and political positions of the party," he said, adding that the two-term recommendation needed "to be discussed internally, within the PN administration."

Former foreign minister Francis Zammit Dimech adopted a similar line of thought, describing the suggestion as "interesting" but requiring more discussion.

He warned however that one had to be "realistic."

"Malta is a small country and we must be conscious of limited resources. Perhaps this may not be the best time to implement such a suggestion," the 59-year-old MP said.

But others, like former health minister Louis Deguara, believe it should be for the serving prime minister, at his own discretion, to decide how long a person should form part of his Cabinet.

"How long a person remains a minister should be based on his performance and his attitude towards the citizens. More importantly, it should be the prime minister to understand and take action when a minister needs to be changed," Deguara said.

Deguara, who last contested the elections in 2008, said it would make more sense if the suggestion were for committee members. "It's not acceptable to have people there for 15 or 20 years. If we can't attract new, young people at this level, then there is definitely a problem," he said.

Former finance minister Tonio Fenech argued that with the Maltese Constitution giving the prime minister full discretion to choose the person he deems fittest for the role, a minister's service shouldn't be time-barred once the electorate votes him into power.

"The prime minister cannot ask someone to contest the election and then have his hands tied by such a rule. The level of performance, and not the time in office, should be the measure of someone's ability," Fenech said.

The commission's recommendation appears to stem from criticism of a lack of 'new blood' within the country's executive. Fenech argued that age shouldn't be the determining factor, just like a newly elected MP should be able to sit as a minister if the prime minister believes in his abilities.

"Newly elected ministers are good for fresh energy and ideas, but likewise, people with experience are necessary for their guidance. A completely new Cabinet may result in a reinvention of the wheel, whereas having experienced ministers on board would help point out the pitfalls," he said.

He believes in a mix of talent and experience and is against straitjacket rules: "The commission has made its recommendations, but it does not necessarily mean these are the way forward in ensuring change."

On the other hand, former education minister Dolores Cristina, who contested her first elections in 1996, appeared to agree with a benchmark regarding when a politician should understand it was time to make way for others.

"I gave myself a benchmark and kept to it," she told this newspaper. "It was probably different for me, because I was in my late 40s when I was elected to parliament. But I do believe that change is needed after a number of years."

Cristina, who has now retired from politics at the age of 64, is a reminder that a certain level of experience is also important.

Taking a more neutral approach, former culture minister Mario de Marco said he would find no difficulty in accepting such a limitation. "There are arguments for and against, but personally I would find no difficulty in accepting one," he said.

He noted that there were instances abroad where a president with executive duties could serve only two terms, but rarely was a limit applied to ministerial terms.