The decisions taken by the US Supreme Court judges in recent weeks have reversed civil rights that were long established in the country: abortion rights in first place but also others that defined how American citizens believed they benefitted from social protection.
On the anti-abortion front these decisions were greatly welcomed, not least here in Malta. However I doubt whether on a long term basis, it is an effective strategy for political action to strive for the reduction or cancellation of established civil rights. Personally I disagree with this as I consider it to be promoting an injustice. It aims to disrupt the lives of people who had become accustomed to adjust their lives according to such rights.
In the European Parliament, when motions that relate to abortion come up, I try to calibrate my vote differently according to the contingencies of any given issue – this in order to respect the majority view of the electorate which I think is still anti-abortion. But in all cases where abortion rights have been revoked, I vote against the revocation.
***
THE RIGHT FRAGMENTED
Suddenly the political right in Europe, which had been dominant for quite a while, seems to have become fragmented. In France, it has split between President Macron’s party, the Republicans which are now a weak copy of the strong formation that had supported President Sarkozy, and the party of the extreme right led by Marine Le Pen, which is now protesting against the label of “exreme” with which its gets described.
In Italy, according to the results of the latest “administrative” elections, the splits on the right have converted what should have been gains into what were considered to be defeats. Here too, three factions do not seem like they’re able to arrive at an agreement to cooperate: Berlusconi’s party, which has gone through the same experience as the French Republicans; the Lega which had been dominating the scene but has eventually been relegated to second place; and Fratelli d’Italia who have gone to the top. To which add what has been happening in the ranks of the Five Star movement.
Beyond personal ambitions, there surely must exist profound social factors to explain why this has been happening.
***
CONTRADICTIONS
I remain confused by the contradictions we continue to accept in the conduct of public affairs. It seems to me that if we say we want to follow a policy option, whatever it is, we need to give evidence of this determination in all aspects of its implementation. And the option needs to be observed and promoted by all actors. Otherwise, the chosen option will not be credible.
As an instance, take the aim for Malta to go for high quality tourism, which is a good idea. Still, this needs to be implemented across the board.
The first impression tourists get of a country is at the port or airport where they arrive for the first time. True, certain projects to improve the infrastructure will be necessary, like for the roads leading to the airport. However if works go on for as long as they are currently doing on such a project – or if the road signalisation that shows how to get in and out of the works are as primitive as they are at present – the worst promotion possible will be given for the headlined aim of quality tourism.