What is democracy? A quick search in google boils it down to four words: power to the people.
It is undisputed that in a democracy one expects to find the rule of law, balance of power, freedom of expression, the right to vote, equality in terms of law and political freedom. It also respects minorities.
When I read this, I stopped for a minute or two asking myself ‘is this applicable to Malta? Are we living in a pseudo-democracy? Are we living in a dictatorial democracy?’ Sometimes we use the term democracy intermittently or for convenience sake.
The structures as found in a democratic setup are there. Balance of power prima facie is there. The judiciary, the executive and the administration are in place, albeit the latter two change upon each general election. Elections are held in accordance to the Constitution. However, when it comes to the rule of law, equality in terms of law and freedom of expression, this is somewhat questionable.
Why am I saying this? Even though the Government reiterates that the institutions are functioning, the Police Force is doing its duty and that no one is above the law, this is far from the truth. I don’t need and don’t want to enter in depth into the high-profile case in relation to the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, as the case is in front of the courts. It is true that arrests have been made but the case is far from solved as there is a tangled web, as it seems to be that high profile people are still not arrested even though testimonies point to them. As for other cases, the police are doing their duty. Therefore, the rule of law and equality in terms of law are lacking. Equality in terms of law is that no one is above the law.
Freedom of expression is another issue that is lacking, especially by minorities. Instead of being steamrolled upon, minorities too have a voice. On paper, everyone has the right to express themselves, but in reality the scenario is opaque. If one criticises a politician, he is shut up either by the initiation of a libel case or in other ways, such as by chucking a person out of private groups on Facebook, or else warning them. Criticism is important if justified. Sometimes it is felt that if someone doesn’t eulogise the leader, the Prime Minister or any high-ranking politician, then the guns are turned on the person who doesn’t. It is like having the democracy of the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (DPRK), better known as North Korea.
It was under twenty-five years of Nationalist Governments that Democracy was felt and experienced. Institutions functioned, and there was liberty in freedom of expression. Instead on building on and strengthening democracy, the present administration tries to shut people up. Is this because of fear? Fear of losing power? Is it because of insecurity or is it because they want to protect people? May I remind you that even though there is an executive, a cabinet that takes decisions, it is alleged that the kitchen cabinet run by the previous Prime Minister bypassed even his own cabinet to run the country.
At the face of it we are a democracy, but in reality it is a dictatorial democracy that lasts five years. In other words we are living in a surreal situation. A farce!