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AD opposes appointment of MPs on government boards
Greens express disagreement on appointment of MPs on government boards and their entitlement to remuneration over and above parliamentary wages.
19 July 2013, 12:00am
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
2 min read
The approval of a bill in Parliament that allows MPs to sit on government boards was described as 'unacceptable' by Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Arnold Cassola.
"We do not agree at all that MPs are appointed on government boards and entitled to remuneration over and above their parliamentary honoraria. Maltese parliamentarians are the only category of Maltese citizens that get a pension with no capping at all.
"That is two thirds of what they actually earn whilst all other Maltese citizens, instead, only get a pension of two thirds of a maximum of around 17000 euros, even if their earnings are higher."
The Greens joined the Nationalist Party in opposing the bill which lifted the ban on MPs from sitting on boards. The PN described the bill as 'scandalous' because it undermined the separation of powers between the executive and the legislative.
Cassola added "Not content with this privilege, Prime Minister Muscat is now sanctioning extra payments for MPs, who can now officially become members or chairpersons of boards, corporations, authorities etc. These payments are being paid out of taxpayers' money, so that Joseph Muscat will be able to buy the silence and obedience of his MPs. This is not at all acceptable."
The Green Party deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo pointed out that MPs should actually concentrate on what they have been elected to do; "legislating and ensuring that government is accountable to Parliament."
Cacopardo said that the approved legislation ignores the fact the MPs appointed to boards as members or chairpersons may in a number of instances be placed in a position of a conflict of interest.
"This has already happened in the last few days when the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality as well as the LGBTI Rights Working Group rapped government on its push back policy.
"It is undemocratic and irresponsible to place members of parliament in a situation whereby they cannot carry out their duties properly," he said.
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AD has 1.5% of the votes of the Maltese population. So the country must adopt the suggestions of this party if we respect the will of minorites - as should be done in a democracy. Also, since Professor Arnold Cassola took over again as AD leader after the 9th March election, it could be that the support of the Maltese population for Alternativa has grown considerably stronger. Forza Arnold!! Forza Alternattiva!!
