Malta’s Speaker Calls for Parliamentary Reform

In a recent interview, Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia articulated his belief that Malta's Parliament is overstaffed, with a disproportionate number of Members of Parliament (MPs) relative to the nation's size. Farrugia's comments underscore a growing concern within the country about the efficacy and focus of the legislative body, which he believes could be improved by a reform of the current electoral model. His remarks highlight the need to address clientelism and propose a more streamlined approach to parliamentary representation.

The Current Parliamentary Structure

Malta's Parliament is currently composed of 79 MPs, a significant number given the size of the country. The electoral system sees 65 MPs elected across 13 districts, with each district contributing five representatives. Additionally, two more MPs are elected through a proportionality mechanism, while a gender corrective mechanism accounts for the remaining 12 seats.

The gender corrective mechanism, introduced during the 2022 general election, aims to address the historical underrepresentation of women in Maltese politics. It allows for the election of up to 12 additional candidates of the underrepresented gender if that gender constitutes less than 40% of Parliament. While this mechanism has resulted in the most gender-balanced Parliament in Malta's history, it has also led to an increase in the total number of MPs, making Malta's Parliament the largest per capita among EU member states.

Farrugia's Call for Electoral Reform

Farrugia expressed his personal disagreement with the current system, suggesting that the number of electoral districts in Malta and Gozo should be reduced to four or five. He argued that such a change would help eliminate clientelism, a practice where politicians provide services or favors to constituents in exchange for electoral support. Farrugia recounted his own experiences as an MP for Mosta, where he felt an inherent pressure to cater to the specific needs of his district, despite his efforts to resist.

According to Farrugia, the current system's focus on district-based politics fosters a culture of clientelism that undermines the broader national interest. By reducing the number of districts and, consequently, the number of MPs, Farrugia believes that Parliament could become more focused and efficient, allowing for a more serious approach to national governance.

Comparative Analysis with Other EU Nations

Farrugia's concerns are not unfounded when compared to the parliamentary structures of other European countries with similar populations. For instance, Luxembourg, with a population slightly larger than Malta's, has 60 MPs, resulting in a ratio of one MP for every 10,579 voters. Cyprus, another small EU member state, has 56 MPs, with one MP representing approximately 16,000 voters. In contrast, Malta's ratio stands at one MP for every 6,532 voters, highlighting the country's disproportionate number of parliamentary representatives.

This disparity raises questions about the necessity of having such a large number of MPs in a small nation like Malta. Farrugia's proposal to reduce the number of MPs to between 45 and 50 could bring Malta's parliamentary structure more in line with those of other similarly sized European countries, potentially enhancing the efficiency and focus of the legislative process.

Impact of the Gender Corrective Mechanism

The gender corrective mechanism, while successful in creating a more gender-balanced Parliament, has also contributed to the increase in the total number of MPs. While the intention behind the mechanism is commendable, its implementation has sparked debate about whether it has inadvertently led to an overly large and potentially unwieldy Parliament.

Farrugia acknowledged that both major political forces in Malta—the Labour-led government and the Nationalist-led Opposition—were in favor of the gender corrective reform. However, he expressed reservations about the overall effectiveness of the system, particularly in relation to the size of Parliament.

A Vision for a More Functional Parliament

Farrugia's vision for a reformed Maltese Parliament centers on the idea of creating a more functional and focused legislative body. He advocates for a system that not only reduces the number of MPs but also shifts the focus from district-level politics to national issues. This, he argues, would help eliminate clientelism and allow MPs to concentrate on broader legislative priorities rather than catering to the specific demands of their constituencies.

Moreover, Farrugia supports the notion of making parliamentary roles full-time positions, a move that could further enhance the functionality of Parliament. By allowing MPs to dedicate their full attention to their legislative duties, he believes that the quality of parliamentary work would improve, leading to more effective governance.

Conclusion

Anglu Farrugia's call for electoral reform reflects a broader concern about the efficiency and focus of Malta's Parliament. His proposal to reduce the number of MPs and shift the focus from district-level to national-level politics aims to address the issue of clientelism and create a more streamlined and effective legislative body. While the gender corrective mechanism has brought about a more balanced Parliament in terms of gender representation, it has also highlighted the need to reconsider the overall size and structure of Parliament.

As Malta continues to evolve as a democratic nation, the conversation around electoral reform is likely to gain momentum. Farrugia's insights contribute to this ongoing debate, offering a perspective that seeks to balance the need for representation with the imperative of creating a functional and focused Parliament. The path forward will require careful consideration of these factors, as Malta strives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its legislative process.

FAQs

What is the current structure of Malta's Parliament?
Malta's Parliament consists of 79 MPs, including 65 elected representatives, two additional MPs from a proportionality mechanism, and 12 added through a gender corrective mechanism.

What is the gender corrective mechanism in Malta's Parliament?
The gender corrective mechanism allows for the election of up to 12 additional MPs of the underrepresented gender if that gender constitutes less than 40% of Parliament.

Why does Speaker Anglu Farrugia believe Malta has too many MPs?
Farrugia believes that the large number of MPs contributes to clientelism and inefficiency in Parliament, and he advocates for reducing the number of MPs to create a more focused and effective legislative body.

What is clientelism, and why is it a concern in Malta?
Clientelism refers to the practice of politicians providing services or favors to constituents in exchange for electoral support. Farrugia believes that Malta's district-based electoral system fosters clientelism, undermining the national interest.

How does Malta's number of MPs compare to other EU countries?
Malta has the largest number of MPs per capita among EU member states, with one MP for every 6,532 voters, compared to Luxembourg's one MP for every 10,579 voters and Cyprus's one MP for every 16,000 voters.

What reforms does Farrugia propose for Malta's Parliament?
Farrugia proposes reducing the number of MPs to between 45 and 50 and decreasing the number of electoral districts to eliminate clientelism and improve parliamentary focus.

Why was the gender corrective mechanism introduced in Malta?
The gender corrective mechanism was introduced to address the low levels of female representation in Maltese Parliament and create a more gender-balanced legislative body.

How has the gender corrective mechanism affected the size of Malta's Parliament?
The mechanism has contributed to an increase in the total number of MPs, making Malta's Parliament the largest per capita in the EU.

What are the potential benefits of reducing the number of MPs in Malta?
Reducing the number of MPs could lead to a more focused and efficient Parliament, with a greater emphasis on national issues rather than district-level politics.

What is Farrugia's vision for a more functional Parliament in Malta?
Farrugia envisions a Parliament with fewer MPs, less clientelism, and full-time parliamentary roles, leading to more effective governance and a stronger focus on national legislative priorities.