Keeping a steady course in face of adversity

Whenever the Nationalist Party gets a rap from the electorate, party chiefs usually give as one of the reasons for this the fact that the government does not inform the people well enough about the work it is doing.

Some may find it difficult to digest this, given that the party has its own radio and television stations besides two newspapers. In truth, the party knows that, having been in power for so long now, it has a very hard task to win the next election. It will not be for want of trying if it loses and, in any case, the party has two more years within which to paper over past mistakes and prove that the Labour Party is no better alternative.

All this makes the political contest between the two main parties even more interesting. Still, even though the election is not exactly round the corner yet, both parties often give the impression the island is in the midst of an election campaign.

The performance reviews being rolled out by government ministries are glossy and done in a highly propagandistic style, the kind of material distributed at election time. In a way, though, the Prime Minister has reason to feel satisfied with his government’s overall performance, considering the flak it has been getting for months over a string of issues ranging from the way the tender for the extension of the power station at Delimara was awarded to the hefty rise in the honorarium given to ministers and parliamentary secretaries over and above the salary they were getting. This was subsequently withdrawn when the government realised it made a “mistake”.

However, both issues have put the government in a very bad light. Not unsurprisingly, although both issues have not been concluded yet, they have receded well into the background in the wake of so many other serious developments, particularly the civil war taking place in Libya between the forces of Muammar Gaddafi and the rebels. This has already hit Malta hard through loss of trade and jobs but new complications are arising, particularly since the resumption of the flow of illegal immigrants from North Africa, creating new strains and stresses leading, even, to a political spat with Italy.

This, the disappointingly long time the European Union is taking to translate its avowed solidarity pledges into quick and meaningful action and the impact the financial trouble in other countries is likely to have on the European economy as a whole, not to mention the effects of the natural disaster in Japan, and the spiralling price of crude oil, would discourage even the bravest of politicians. Yet, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi remains upbeat, though cautious, about the situation insofar as it affects Malta.

Remaining confident in the face of adversity is one of Dr Gonzi’s better qualities. He still thinks, for example, the country can keep the same rhythm of growth as that registered last year and that his government would also be able to cut the deficit to below the level required by the European Union. Yet, when there are still so many uncertainties, it is far too early to predict the growth outcome for the year. In fact, others are forecasting a lower growth rate.

Hopefully, the country will not be deflected from the growth path it has been following by unnecessary jolts, frictions or any misunderstanding that may arise out of developments from Libya’s internal conflict.