TMID Editorial: Reflecting on Republic Day
Today, Republic Day, represents an important date in the history of Malta.
47 years later, the country ceases to commemorate the day Malta cut itself off from its ties to the British crown – even though its ties to the British military were severed only five years later – by declaring itself a Republic.
This effectively means that the head of state was no longer the monarch of the day (who is still, incidentally, the same monarch even now) but was a Maltese President.
It was another step in Malta’s decolonization process. It is a step that other countries have followed, even to this day – Barbados only a few weeks ago declared itself a Republic, thus removing the last remaining links with the British monarchy – or have yet to take, as in the case. of Australia.
Becoming a republic entailed a certain level of national calculation. While in the post-independence era, the highest head of state was still the British monarch – represented by a governor-general, the post-Republican era saw the shaping of the same issues with different ways, and gave power – though not executive. – to someone who represents Malta and the Maltese.
The role of the President, while largely ceremonial, has been – and will continue to be – one that has found itself at the center of certain Maltese debates.
Lawrence Gonzi’s decision to nominate a person from the opposite political camp – George Abela – to be President was one that sparked much discussion, for example.
The current President George Vella has found himself – or put himself – at the center of some significant issues that dominate the Maltese landscape, such as the free-fall of the PN leadership – where he has been called to action by some the deputies who disagree with the party, the cannabis issue. – where NGOs and organizations have called for him not to sign the proposed legalization of cannabis into law, and the issue of abortion – where Vella himself has said he will resign rather than sign the legalization of abortion into law.
Today, Republic Day has been at the center of other debates. One that is often raised is on which national holiday should be identified as Malta’s ‘National Day’. This is an ongoing debate, and one where opinions are very different.
It is also a day that will see the President deliver what is generally considered to be his most important address of the year. President Vella has often drawn attention to a number of important issues in his speeches – such as on the environment and even on corruption, although he has not spoken too directly about who exactly is responsible for this corruption – so one waits to see what will characterize him. speech this year.
Even as time has passed – 47 years, to be precise – Republic Day therefore still retains its significance in the form of our country.