Strong efforts are being deployed to rein back in one way or another the unanimity rule covering a number of EU policy areas.  Among those singled out, one finds taxation, foreign and defence policies, immigration and some aspects of the Union’s financial management.

One could label such approaches as “federalist” since they seek to establish a more centralised governance of the Union or come closer to it. This forward march is being led by some governments – notably France, frequently the European Commission, as well as a majority of members of the European Parliament assembled from the main groupings of the centre right and centre left.

The unanimity rule ensures that some decisions can only be taken with the agreement of all member states. It safeguards the position of member states including the smallest ones, on issues that have not yet been been drawn into the competences of the Union, and which are considered to be of a vital national interest.

It cannot be claimed that if unanimity is waived, Maltese interests will always be negatively impacted. For instance, in its absence, a European policy on immigration could be drafted that would reduce the mayhem it is causing in the Mediterranean. Still all things considered, it does not seem that the lifting of unanimity would have overall a positive effect on the diplomatic position of this country in the European context.    

***

ROUND THE CLOCK LAMENTATIONS

Some opinion makers have become experts in the business of launching lamentations and expressions of woe. All they write about is how this country has gone to the dogs and how the government is inept or obstinate and whatever is worse than this. Not all of them are card carrying members of the PN but all, God be praised, have specialised in this kind of commentary.

Now it is true that some issues are being mismanaged. I too have drawn attention to them at times. But to incessantly maintain that all is black makes no sense. For there are sectors – and they’re not so few – in which the island is surging ahead, as shown by European comparative data. In these sectors the government has successfully implemented useful and courageous decisions.

Whoever indulges in lamentations about everything under the sun will likely become too predictable. Even when he/she happens to be right about something, others will still conclude that he/she is in the wrong.  

***

SAINT HELENA

The date of 18 August is dedicated to St Helen in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. At B’Kara, the celebration of her feast day is now held on the Sunday immediately following the day.

There can be little doubt that as a personality, Helena had an important role at a time of historic change. Though what is most mentioned about her is her discovery of the cross on which Christ was executed (?), I would think that more substantive was the change brought about by her son Constantine in the official ideology of the Roman empire.Within a few decades that followed Constantine’s (and Helen’s) coming out as Christians, people having pagan beliefs were being subjected to harsh persecution.

Perhaps on second thoughts, it was a good idea to not highlight this profound transformation and instead focus celebrations on the legend of how the cross was discovered, for it is quite intriguing as a story. Over the centuries, many ecclesiastical authorities considered it to be factual.