The presidency - much more than symbolism

Former President and Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami said today that he disagreed with the view which some people could have that the President was a figurehead with no powers.

He was speaking at a lecture at the Fortunato Mizzi school of politics in Gozo where the theme was ‘The presidency, is it the throne without power?'

Dr Fenech Adami said he never felt like he was on a throne, except during ceremonies at St John's, but he never felt that the presidency was without powers either.

Going into the provisions of the Constitution, Dr Fenech Adami observed that it was the President who decided who in his view could command a majority in Parliament and therefore should be invited to form a government. Although this was a straightforward matter in Malta, there could be circumstances where things were not clear and the President had to use his judgment, such as if more than two parties were elected in Parliament, or an MP or MPs broke ranks from the governing majority, Dr Fenech Adami pointed out.

Furthermore, when the Prime Minister asked the President to dissolve Parliament before it had ran its course, the President could decide to retain Parliament, if he felt there was somebody else who could form a government.

There were instances where the President made appointments acting on the advice of the Prime Minster. But there could be circumstances where the President could feel, in the interests of the Constitution and democracy, that he should refuse that advice, although he would then have to face the consequences.

Legislation only came into being when Bills were signed into force by the President and there had been situations abroad when heads of state refused to sign legislation and resigned or abdicated, temporarily or permanently.

And the President also had a hand on the purse strings, since the Budget and other money bills could only be moved in Parliament with a recommendation from the President.

The presidency, therefore, was much more than symbolism, Dr Fenech Adami said.