Not a Multi-Level ~ Car-Park, but the initials of H.E. our lady President, our nominal Head of State. She ought to be the last in line of such Presidents installed by the government of the day.
She is made to deliver speeches written by others, as though she has no brain of her own. In the same tradition of Queenie, of de-olde-London-towne, who faces quite an uncertain future and possibly eviction!
At times, I seriously wonder what our M-L~C-P’s principal line of work could possibly be, as it seems that her stunts as a fund-raiser occupy the better part of her day. No doubt a good and commendable thing in itself; compensating for shortcomings in the services provided by the various government agencies, filling the gaps as the needs of some sectors of the population is apparently great and beyond their means. These issues are addressed and are made good by a good measure of her solidarity. Nonetheless, in all sincerity, we must all admit that such activity should be ancillary to the task of President of the Republic!
Tasks
I reckon there is far more to be done, than (1) taking the salute in parades, (2) signing tons of paper in the course of her duty, (3) doing the honours when dignitaries of similar rank visit us and in turn, (4) going aboard, at the Head of some hopeful initiative to promote our wares.
It is most desirable of a President to be: (1) the custodian and visible symbol of national unity; (2) a promoter of reconciliation; (3) a moderating influence; (4) a monitor for good governance; (5) a promoter of talent in the arts and in sport, which seems to date spasmodic and so hopelessly infantile; (6) a beacon to the educational institutions from nursery school to tertiary level and beyond; (7) a stiff whip against fanaticism, bigotry, and parochialism from any quarter; (8) an agent favouring dialogue which is regrettably deficient to an alarming high degree; and (9) a worthy ambassador taking an active role in international dialogue, capable of addressing any assembly on a variety of issues relevant to the day.
Furthermore, a President ought to have direct responsibility for the National Audit Office (NAO), Electoral Commission (EL), The Ombudsman’s Office, The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), The Law Reform Commission and all other areas where impartiality is essential.
Eligibility
The post calls for mature persons of proven integrity who have done honour to themselves and the country. Probably young-old, serious and conscientious, sound in mind, and possibly in good health; a calm, methodical person with perceptive eyes and the heart to go with it; a good listener, but a person of few words, a facta-non-verba personality. These could be retired street-wise University Don, retired members of the judiciary, past promoters of some worthy cause or practically any such gifted person.
Whilst self-nomination is ruled out, a system can be devised to short-list the eligible candidates.
How to go about it!
In a simple and straight forward manner! Where it has proved itself, time and again throughout the world! By means of TRS, the Two-Round System! For the sake of clarity, here is a text book definition of the term: “... a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate... if no candidate receives the required number of votes (usually an absolute majority or 40-45 per cent with a winning margin of 5–15 per cent), then those candidates having less than a certain proportion of the votes, or all but the two candidates receiving the most votes, are eliminated, and a second round of voting is held”.
By having an elected President, the people will have a greater say in matters that concern them closely!
The basis of the arrangement
If all goes well and clean above board, the candidate has nothing to worry about. The remuneration will be adequately sized to afford the candidate with sufficient elbow room to execute the job and maintain a small retinue of high profile specialists, for which she/he will be personally responsible. The post will not carry a pension. It will be for a single term of four years maximum, unless overtaken by fate or disgrace.
Ramon Borg-Bartolo
Sliema