As was to be expected, the "reform" by which appointment to certain top state functions was made dependent on a favourable vote in Parliament with a majority of two thirds at least, is turning out to be a total washout. It was nothing better than a trap by which to create senseless political crises which only serve to damage the country's institutions.
The island's modern history shows clearly how difficult it is for partisan and personal tensions to ebb when delicate and prestigious appointments are being set. To be sure, the same problem exists in other countries, make no mistake.
It is true that the methods by which constitutional appointments were made in the past were arbitrary or hypocritical - as when the processes of "consultation" between government and opposition took place.
But in order to look good with the "Europeans", we introduced a method that time after time, will push all sides into an impasse, without any fall back option to enable exit, except by a "universal" agreement that becomes extremely difficult to achieve. No other political system one can think of put itself into such a strait jacket. This month's controversy about who is to become chief judge could eventually find some resolution.
In its wake there will come other occasions when the same problem is bound to recur.
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MOST POPULAR
It is truly disquieting how in Germany, the most popular political party is the AFD, from the extreme right. Not the christian democrats, not the socialists or the greens. By themselves, the AFD do not have the majority of support in the country but the way by which they are widening their appeal is tempting right wing politicians to consider and approve making alliances with the AFD.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration makes no secret of the fact that it is ideologically in tune with the AFD. It considers the party to have the same drive and principles as the US MAGA movement. During a recent visit to the US by German parliamentarians, ths State Department declined to meet representatives of the socialists and the greens. It only wanted to receive parliamentarians of the AFD and other right wing parties. Step by step, the US under the present administration, is writing off all America's liberal credentials.
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PARADISE LOST
A friend of mine said: Given how the international political scene is evolving, we're being ushered into the universe of the poet Milton, in his epic "Paradise Lost". The changes that are occurring do not emphasize the respect for just laws but a respect for whoever possesses most power. Developments are projecting the devil as the true world hero. In the rebellion he carried out along with the angels who followed him in revolt, he did not lose because he was right or wrong, but because he was the weaker.
Then, instead of shutting up and accepting his defeat, he maintained his defiance.
Effectively although Milton was a genuine Christian (Protestant), in his poem he ended making Satan a hero. He accepted that power is what makes right, but still continued with his defiance. And now we're seeing how the "values" of those who give their trust to power and its exercise get the most significant weighting in decisions that are being taken.