Video: Muscat pays courtesy call on the President
New Opposition leader Joseph Muscat this morning paid a courtesy call on President Eddie Fenech Adami at the Palace.
Dr Muscat said the Opposition wanted to show its respect s to the President and he, as leader of the Opposition, would be working to bridge the gulf which he could see between the ordinary citizens and national institutions.
The Opposition, Dr Muscat said, would be a positive and constructive force in the country which would work with the government but would also be critical of the government, as expected in a true democracy.
Dr Fenech Adami said that the Leader of the Opposition had an important role. In the past the country was too politically polarised and he was pleased to see that Dr Muscat was not taking the approach of polarisation in his speeches.
Dr Muscat also made a courtesy call on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Louis Galea.
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Ernest Vella
Oct 22nd 2008, 14:10
Why being so amazed that the Opposition Leader makes visit to the President of Malta...what do PN has to do with all this...Dr.Fenech Adami has no relation as president with any political party...neither be so amazed that two collegues call the other by name....some humbilness from polticians is need it.
S.Sammut
Oct 22nd 2008, 07:25
Now all we ask is some reciprocity from the other side of the coin. Will the PN reciprocate this moderate political jargon and political behaviourt? From its printed media and some diehard contributors, I really doubt it.
P.Schembri
Oct 22nd 2008, 00:08
All the PN apologists have been blubbering about Joseph calling Gonzi by name. So what? Wasn't it just a friendly debate with two leaders of the main Maltese Parties? It wasn't a debate between the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister. It can be seen from the titles on the TV screen, all the time. So what's wrong with that. Why should not friends call each other by name? Looks like Mr. Gonzi wanted to show the nation that he's above Joseph Muscat, while Joseph Muscat wanted to show the nation that they're friends not enemies, hence calling the Prime Minister by name. He's telling us that even during heated debates, we should still be friends. So why not take his message and do likewise.
Frans Sammut
Oct 21st 2008, 17:23
@Wistin Schembri
Beg your pardon, my dear fellow, have you ever seen me behave in any way that could be termed "less than civil"? If, on the other hand, you mean that I tend to respond, as the Italians says, "a tono", then I can understand what you mean but offer no regrets. Unless you come up with some concrete examples, I will feel constrained to tell you, "you know what you can do with your latinorum." For your information I was received by the President of Malta on two occasions during presentations of my publications. On both occasions he did me the honour of discussing matters of Maltese culture for a full quarter of an hour. That is gracious enough to my mind. And this was a meeting between a mere citizen and the Head of State. What should one expect from a meeting between the Leader of the Opposition AND the Head of State? Of course, I applaud Dr Muscat's display of civilty. And so should the rest of the Maltese citizens, including you, Sur Wistin.
deb bugeja
Oct 21st 2008, 14:06
Although it is still early to judge Dr Muscat 's ability and what should come out if he will be a prime minister, I think his attitude towards the other party is quite amicable and that is how it should be. His speeches does not involve fights with the other party but how should things be tackled for the best interest of our nation. I hope Dr Muscat keeps what he is promising.
Keep it Dr Muscat. we don't want the nation to be split into two parties but a whole nation after the leader which the majority of the people choose to be in government whether it is blue or red.
Frans Sammut
Oct 21st 2008, 13:37
Mrs Amanda Mallia
I refuse to be "lectured" by the likes of you, madam, so do me a favour and move on. I have better things to do than waste the time of day in the pointless arguments you revel in.
Wistin Schembri
Oct 21st 2008, 13:27
@Frans Sammut.
Are you the same person? O tempora o mores!
Reinhard Azzopardi
Oct 21st 2008, 08:54
@apgrech
Different countries have different ways of addressing people. I worked with Austrians and Germans for a number of years. In these countries, the surname rules. Christian names are only used during very informal meetings. Otherwise one introduces onesself using only the surname and one addresses others using the surname too. In Canada and America, things are less formal and only first names are used. During my visits to Libya, everyone was called Mr. or Mrs followed by the Christian name. In our country, in formal situations, one refers to others using the person's title and surname.
Victor Vella
Oct 20th 2008, 22:26
come on give the man a break, we need to see how he would act under pressure, but then again we need to allow him time to fall and rise again.
P Agius
Oct 20th 2008, 22:10
How is Guzi going to bridge the gulf with the likes of Jason, Anglu, Toni, Manuel and Alex? Ahhh ... and there is Mintoff too - did he do the bridge between Mintoff and Sant yet?
apgrech
Oct 20th 2008, 19:11
In Canada and the US, even in interviews, most are addressed by their first name. Last week, Obama addressed McCain as "John" several times.
What's wrong with that? At times, addressing a person by his or her first name shows respect more than by addressing them with their title.
Michael Cutajar
Oct 20th 2008, 14:09
Can all the PN apologists please have a break and calm down? You can't be credible if you keep on bizarrely attacking the new Leader of the opposition. His principles are sound and he strikes exactly the right, reassuring, note. He walks his talk and he talks his walk.
Your pointed attacks sound desperate and at times just plain nasty. How you can describe yourselves as "democratic" sometimes baffles me
P.Schembri
Oct 20th 2008, 14:09
I'm really amazed at how (im)mature are the Maltese where politics are concerned. Instead of arguing and discussing the problems our country is facing, they waste their time discussing about name calling. This is so ridiculous. The world is on the verge of a recession, and we Maltese, all we see important, is how the leader of the opposition, or in that case even the Prime Minister address his political adversary. Now wonder we're in such a state.
fred sultana
Oct 20th 2008, 14:06
just imagine if this dr muscat was "not taking the approach of polarisation in his speeches" during the EU campaign in malta. how many resources, time and energy were wasted battling over something that NOW joseph muscat accepts it as the best solution (EU vs partnership).
P.Scicluna
Oct 20th 2008, 13:23
Amanda Mallia
During XARABANK the PM was not in his capacity but leader of the PN. The caption shown on TV said so. During the electoral campain the PN reffered to the cartaker Prim Minister as GONZI PN. or are you one of thoses who see only one way. grow up.
Charles Micallef
Oct 20th 2008, 12:55
I do feel as a matter of etiquette, they should have sorted out how they were going to address each other, somehow for the Prime Minister to address the Leader of the Opposition as Dr Muscat and the Leader of the Opposition calling the Prime Minister Lawrence did not sound right, irrespective of anyone's political opinion!
Kenneth Galea
Oct 20th 2008, 12:47
@Amanda Mallia
It is right to say there is no easy solution to the illegal immigration problem. However I am looking at Dr Muscat as our saviour because it is clear to me that Dr Gonzi and Carm failed the Maltese people. I assure you I am not getting my priorities mixed up at all. Illegal immigration has become the biggest problem facing the Maltese islands. Yes I believe DR Muscat is indeed our saviour, whether or not he can deliver, it is another story Amanda. But he is the only hope we've got left. We want you Joseph, we are behind you!!
M. Storace
Oct 20th 2008, 12:25
@ N. Azzopardi
@ L. Mallia
For crying out loud - what's in a name ?
Besides, Dr. Muscat referred to the PM as LAWRENCE (his proper Christian name) and not like the PN media (especially NET TV) insisting on addressing Dr. Muscat as Joe (not Joseph) and never referring to him as Dr. Muscat.
Other comments are superfluous.
C.Sapiano
Oct 20th 2008, 12:20
@Kenneth Galea
A liberal socialist as a saviour against illegal immigration?? Hardly realistic. All left-wing parties tend to favour illegal immigration in an indirect way. See the way socialists vote in the European Parliament and you'l see what I mean.
Amanda Mallia
Oct 20th 2008, 12:12
Frans Sammut - People with "very high levels of civil behaviour" would not address the Prime Minister by his first name at a debate in his official capacity.
L Mallia - My thoughts exactly
M Farrugia - Don't be ridiculous
Kenneth Galea - You've certainly got your priorities mixed up. You are looking at Muscat "to be our saviour" from the "illegals".
What do you expect him to do? Drown them before they reach our shores? It is a problem, yes, but one to which there is no real solution. You also fail to see that it is a bigger problem for the "illegals" themselves. Nobody would want to be in their situation in the first place, and certainly not in the circumstances they find themselves here.
N.Azzopardi
Oct 20th 2008, 12:09
@M.Farrugia
The next time you happen to be in court, try to call the Magistrate by his name, and then you see what happens.
M.Farrugia
Oct 20th 2008, 11:51
@ L. Mallia
Why not? We all did during meetings! (EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE)
kenneth galea
Oct 20th 2008, 11:44
Keep it up Joseph! You seem to be a breath of fresh air, you are very different to the previous Labour leaders. I can see that you are indeed trying hard to push your party forward. Please fight and fight in the name of the national interest which is of utmost importance. At the moment the national interest is under threat due to the illegals invading our shores for a better life. The Maltese people are looking at you as our saviour!
L Mallia
Oct 20th 2008, 11:36
Did he also address the president by his name?
Frans Sammut
Oct 20th 2008, 11:22
That's the spirit! This mature attitude on the part of the Leader of the Opposition will eventually have a very positive effect on the rest of the country. I, for one, look forward to seeing the media, particularly certain elements of it, reciprocate Dr Muscat's signs of maturity and very high level of civil behaviour.