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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Malta: Cabinet left in the lurch as PM proposes decriminalisation
Malta Today Wednesday 30 Apr 2014 Addressing a press conference after the introduction of civil unions, a high spirited Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that next thing ‘in line’ would be the decriminalisation of drugs, albeit in small amounts and for first time offenders. Muscat said that he was proud to be in a party which was the agent of change. Yet the reformist Muscat is being secretively questioned by some of his senior cabinet ministers who have expressed concern with the fact that they only learn about new policy moves through the press and through Cabinet. These complaints have been expressed among governmental aides who have often heard their ministers complain that Muscat is not giving due importance to his Cabinet. They also claimed that many decisions were taken outside of the Cabinet, leaving ministers with the task of explaining the thinking behind the government’s decisions. Indeed, Muscat’s style of government has been eclipsed by his dominant persona, where decisions are taken by a small group of people and then actioned by the same posse, reminiscent of the ‘Blairite’ style of governing. Muscat has been riding on a wave of euphoria after his civil union and adoption coup – which left the Opposition in disarray – but he is also taking advantage of a seemingly unstoppable future with his historical nine seat majority which gives him a golden opportunity to address those social issues that would otherwise get bogged down in controversy. The Nationalist Party’s reaction to Muscat’s decriminalisation plans have been muted, and even public outcry has been surprisingly subdued. Reacting to Muscat’s announcements, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola said: “Muscat should reconcile his stand on this issue with his star candidate, Alfred Sant, who is adamant against the decriminalisation for personal use.” In an online poll on the MaltaToday portal, the number of respondents from 5,032 who disagree with the decriminalisation of drugs stood at 31.62%, 33.15% agree with full declassification of cannabis for people’s recreational use and 35.23% only agree with decriminalisation for first time offenders with small amounts. http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/38541/cabinet_left_in_the_lurch_as_pm_proposes_decriminalisation#.U2H20FfeOLw
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