Mature politics

"I love my country and I believe in it". This is the credo of Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Malta's new prime minister. This pronouncement was introduced by these words: "Fate and God placed me in the driving seat at a historic moment. I look ahead with courage. We have a special opportunity and it is up to us to show we are able to unite and make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead." Surely these are signs of political maturity.

There are just a couple of new faces in Dr Gonzi's Cabinet. Yet there is a difference from previous Cabinets: it is actually more in the methodology of the tasks set and in their implementation.

Co-operation and collaboration between the various ministries was not very evident at the beginning and end of the previous government. Now the scenario is projected to be radically changed. The Gonzi government has two main aims: to be close to and with the people. Moreover it is augured that Freedom Day would show unity among the people. While there is a considerable degree of continuity there is an appeal to everyone to help and to do our part, there is a promise to cut red tape and to reward creativity and innovation.

At the first press conference given by Prime Minister Gonzi he highlighted the government's main principles. The last one reads: having a co-ordinated government to ensure it reaches its goals and moves forward. Although listed last, the tenth principle is, to my mind, the cardinal one. For after listing the first nine principles without the co-ordination between all the ministries the scenario would not have occasion to be changed, without the declared co-ordination and every ministry going its own way things would remain as they were which was not good enough. It was a sign of lethargy and lack of initiative.

Just one example to prove the point. A road is well laid and tarmacked only to have it dug up within a short period for the laying of electricity or telephone lines. What is wrong about this procedure is that the road should not have been declared ready before all services had been laid in place. There was in this case a certain lack of co-ordination between the Roads Section and Telemalta. The remedy was in itself a good decision but taken at the wrong time.

Main principles

The main principles outlined by the Prime Minister were:

¤ Exploiting all the opportunities offered by membership of the European Union.
¤ Consolidating the nation's financial situation.
¤ Attracting foreign investment to create new work opportunities.
¤ Ensuring the economy continues to grow, with particular attention to the tourism industry.
¤ Making Malta more competitive beyond its shores.
¤ Giving great attention to roads and capital projects.
¤ Paying attention to development and waste management.
¤ Guaranteeing that nobody lags behind and ensuring a sustainable welfare system.
¤ Investing more in education and research.

Every one of the principles mentioned by the Prime Minister is valid and necessary. But taken in isolation they can only result in unsatisfactory production. The last principle as has already been pointed out ties the knot of all the others together.

Four committees

This is further ensured by the nomination of the four new Cabinet committees. The introduction of these four committees is logical and so very necessary. At his acceptance speech as leader of the Nationalist Party Dr Gonzi mentioned that the environment will be high on his agenda. This is as it should be both as a sine qua non for a better lifestyle as well as because the acquis mentions the upgrading of the environment as absolutely essential for many reasons. These committees were established to ensure that the ministries function in a better and more co-ordinated manner.

The first committee presided over by the Deputy Prime Minister will deal with the environment. The others will have the tasks of overseeing social policy taking into consideration the Social Pact, while foreign investment promotion is added to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and national projects will be an addition to the Technology Ministry.

The Opposition was invited to send representatives to the Social Policy Committee. The Prime Minister envisaged the four Cabinet committees to work on their own steam and in collaboration with the whole Cabinet.

The committees will be free to rope in other entities interested in the relevant issues. The more consultation there is the better service will be rendered to the people and the nation as a whole. At the end of the day their work will be enhanced by their close contact with opposite committees of the EU. Both these points were emphasised by the Prime Minister when he argued that pro-active help and backing of the social partners and NGOs will guarantee successful mature government.