[WATCH] 10 key takeaways from the President’s bold Republic Day speech

The President's Republic Day speech: 10 key takeaways

1. As a guardian of the Constitution, I believe that Malta should continue to host all those who live among us, or those who come to visit us, with the utmost love and respect. I am morally convinced that we should appreciate, and not condemn, persons who are helping to build our prosperity, and who form part of our society, by sending them back.

2. If we are going to protest, we will protest against xenophobia, racism, social exclusion and the exploitation of workers for profit. If we are going to celebrate, we will applaud the increase of civil rights, laws which are less discriminatory, laws which protect a life of quality; which safeguard human dignity; and which promote economic, cultural and social inclusion as well as equal opportunities for all.

3. Those who assert that they are in favour of righteousness can never be the ones to sow the seeds of hatred. Those who assert that they are in favour of democracy cannot be the ones to impede participatory democracy.

4. Whilst I appreciate and rejoice at every positive statistic about our country, I note with regret that there are still a considerable number of families, who are struggling to make ends meet despite being diligent and hardworking. It is immoral to reduce people who have always worked hard and those who genuinely are not able to work to the brink of poverty or to a perpetual state of destitution. It would be an atrocity for our Republic if we do not take advantage of this positive economic growth in order to remove the barriers between social-economic anomalies.

5. A caring republic does not accept the theory that a healthy economy, which attracts local and foreign investment, should be based on hardworking persons who are paid a pittance.

6. Women, much more frequently than men, are living with constant threats and fear for their health and their lives every single day. Whilst the economic independence has helped women in general, domestic violence is still overshadowing social relationships in this country.

7.  A just republic does not tolerate situations wherein different families are denied their privacy rights because they are obliged to live under the same roof since they cannot afford the high rental rates or, worse than that, where families are rendered homeless.

8. I appeal for diligence and integrity in the planning sector and for the absolute recognition that people come before profits. It is vital that our politicians work collectively towards a long-term environmental vision and strategy, which goes beyond a single legislation.

9. It is morally and ethically unacceptable, that sections of the traditional media, as well as bloggers and individuals, make use of social media, to attack the private lives of persons, and their family, even those in public life, to appease some people and generate hate amongst us. This is done to favour a few, while sowing hate amongst us. However, this is psychological violence aimed at the individual, not at the argument or belief.

10. I reiterate my appeal to all political parties, public entities and all people of goodwill, to disassociate themselves publicly from these individuals. I also wish that everyone would think about and reflect before believing every word that is reported on the media.