Edward Scicluna to contest general election
Labour MEP Edward Scicluna said today that he intends to contest the forthcoming general election.
He made the announcement on Norman Hamilton's TV discussion programme Bla Agenda, saying he had been invited by Joseph Muscat to join the labour team for the coming elections. This, he said, was a new challenge, but Labour needed a strong economic team at a time when the life of the nation was dominated by events in the EU.
Prof Scicluna was elected to the European Parliament on his first attempt in 2009, winning 24,574 first count, the second highest among the Labour candidates.
Election to the Maltese parliament will mean that Prof Scicluna will have to choose which seat to give up, since no one can serve in both the national parliament and the European Parliament.
The only other MEP to have opted for domestic politics after serving in the EP was Joseph Muscat, who resigned his seat in order to be co-opted to the Maltese parliament shortly after he became Labour leader. He took the seat that was given up by Joseph Cuschieri, who subsequently contested the European elections and is to take Malta's sixth seat in the EP.
Former Labour minister John Attard Montalto resigned his seat in the Maltese parliament after successfully contesting the first EP elections to be held in Malta.
Edward Scicluna is a former head of the Department of Economics at the University of Malta.
He also served as chairman of the Malta Council of Economic and Social Development (MCESD), chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), Electoral Commissioner and a director of the Central Bank.
Prof Scicluna is vice president of the European Parliament's economic and monetary committee, among other positions.
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John Baptist Camilleri
Dec 5th 2011, 00:20
This might be a good news for labour, I must admit I think Profs Scicluna is Honest . I have noticed this recently when I was invited to a business breakfast organised by himself as MEP and he stated that it was of great importance that Malta had changed the currancy to Euro. He also mentioned how lucky and safe we are in Malta that we have the Euro.
Shurely not to his merit as he was totaly against it and his excuse was its too early. But as usual PL mentality with a bit somtimes bigger delay.
mark borg
Dec 4th 2011, 22:36
@ H PSAILA
Ghax ma tghidx li qabel 1971 il PN tas sittinijiet bghatu nofs Malta l Awstralia u l anqas qalziet kien hawn min kellu ! mela gej isemmi meta kien hawn wage freeze biex niprotegu l impljiegi ta kulhadd !! u il marmalja u it terrur li qed isemmi kienet kpllha frott it tfixkil tal Pn mil opozzizjoni.....insomma inti mohhok mghaluq ghalxejn niprova niftahulek jien ...jew inkella forsi wiehed min tal GAKETTA BLU...e skuzani dawk spiccaw issa ,tal klikka blu ridt nghid.....mhux hekk il PN min 1971 sa 1987 kollha qaddisin la jmutu se nghamluhom laktar meta sibna dawk la rmi tal Pieta.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Dec 4th 2011, 20:55
Another first class signing by Joseph Muscat to his team. Of course Edward Scicluna had already show his political allegiance through his successful EU parliament PL candidature, but it is always reassiring and admirable to see competent candidates giving their first preference to the local parliament. Joseph Miuscat is casting his net wide and the list of highly promising new candidates keeps increasing, Three other interesting new signings are the medical doctors Chris Fearne, Franco Mercieca and Deo Debattista. I wonder what strategy the usual gnomes will adopt to discredit them givien thAt they all have the right credentials and would have been raised to high heaven had they decided to contest with the PN.
While such quality of candidates will be critical to getting the support of the middle class and to convince voters to switch party we must not forget other candidates endowed with other types of charisma which keep them close to the workers and other disadvantaged groups . If the PL is to be seen as an all inclusive party it must continue to give space to all who can give a valid contribution to moving this nation forward.
Joseph E Briffa
Dec 4th 2011, 15:24
It looks like Labour sympathisers are pleased as Punch following Edward Scicluna's decision to contest the forthcoming elections on the Labour ticket. Their state of euphoria could be interpreted as an acknowledgement that Labour's team is not exactly made up of the brightest of people, and that it could do with a boost.. That Edward Scicluna would be a cut above his peers is a given. On the other hand, as economists are fond of saying, it doesn't mean that the performance of the economy of a country depends solely on having economists as ministers. Proof of this is the fact the Malta's economy is doing quite well despite the fact that there are no economists in the cabinet, while most EU states with economists in their administration are doing quite the opposite. While forecasts for Malta are of an economic growth of over 2% this year and the next, forecasts for a number of EU members are insignificant growths of a fraction of 1%, as well as shrinkages in some cases. While the average unemployment rate in the Eurozone is 10.6%, Malta's jobless represent a mere 5.6% of the labour force. Again, Malta is expected to rein in its budget deficit to 2.8% this year and to 2.2% in 2012; one of the few members if not the only one to reduce its deficit to below 3% of GDP. Malta's national debt is not excessive - under 70% of GDP - well below that of a number of EU countries; per capita it is only a third of that of Italy, and half of that of Germany, France, Belgium which all include economists in their administration. Again Italy's economy did not perform any better when led by a university professor of economics at the university of Bologna. I am not saying that a good knowledge of economics and finance is not helpful in dealing with a country's problems; what I am saying is that having economists in a country's administration is no guarantee of success. If that were the case, the economy of a lot of EU countries would be in much better shape..
Pule' Carmel
Dec 4th 2011, 18:37
Prosit, so true , so true.
If there was land big enough, and a man and a woman and their family toiled the land and farmed the animals they need, the economy would be so fine and it lasted millions of years in a good country. They had difficulties but they managed to live well and for such a long time.
With the advent of religions, law, medicine, and where specialization took place, the man and woman and family starting depending on bug brother oroviding a city economy, and this necessitated, economists, police, soldiers, hospitals and factories and transort and national this and national that including politics and parliaments and governers and kings and queens.
Well empowering a man and a woman to look after themselves, meaning privatisations sees that the economists are not so clevdr in going back to what our forefathers had advocated, empower the people if you want to have a healthy economy. Not much brains to think that one out . With all out adcanvcement in economics and politics it seems that privatisation was always the solution and that my friends had been appplied for millions of years in communiites which had no advisers how to run an economy for the families did it as the natural elements indicated, through, roaming like gypsies when necessary, Hunting on the run, and when tools where formed farming in the same place. The trouble began when big brother decided that he knew better.
Mark. Galea
Dec 4th 2011, 13:39
I am in favour of Edward Scicluna being the PL leader. All we need is to wait for next election, then after the next PL failure, Dr Scicluna will be the new leader, and then PL will win.
John Schembri
Dec 4th 2011, 19:58
He’s not the type and too old , he’s around 72 years old.
Randolph Said
Dec 4th 2011, 13:36
Well done PL! - The party needs good people like Prof Scicluna. Let the old "Marmalja" Leave and aim for change.
Good Move!
C Galea
Dec 4th 2011, 13:24
Sour Grapes for all those who are saying that Profs Scicluna is not a talented person.
Welcome Profs Scicluna you are an asset for our country.
j brincat
Dec 4th 2011, 12:27
@Mr Joe Micallef
Quote:"Although I have an intrinsic dislike for individuals who push themselves forward as independent but have an evident (at least to the rest) hidden agenda, I am still glad that Scicluna entered the fray. If nothing he will certainly add quality to the utter mediocrity of the PL ranks and also because the PL can now enjoy the services of a real economist and not those of an imposter!"
And don't you see any mediocrity at all from the PN's side? Wasn't it the PM who complained of limited human resources to choose from when it comes to choose the ministers?
I guess not but then it's obvious in which direction your wind blows, no?
Are you by any chance labelling as an imposter the one who promised heaven on earth in the last election and imposed the most severe austerity measures Malta has ever seen and without telling anybody (at the time) started to enjoy € 500 weekly, yes WEEKLY!
(jb)
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 4th 2011, 18:51
J Brincat you are an extension of PLs mediocrity!
Want some answers here they are
Oh yes I do see mediocrity in the PN side. In fact I am confident I could win the election for the PL hands down in a feasible way - I will not do it because the level of mediocrity in the PL is appalling from the leader (I guess you got as far as me labelling him an imposter) down to the 6th MEP, and I would rather live hanged upside down then leave my children’s future in the hands of Joey and his expired disciples. Think of it if you may, so far Joey has had two really important decision to take, decide on supporting EU membership and on joining the EURO. He messed them up big time, and whilst he was telling you a world of lies, he then went on the gravy train.
Contrary to yourself, I take politician’s promises with a pinch of salt. I suggest you try doing the same, particularly on Joey’s promise of reversing the MP wage increases (which for the proper people I believe are deserved). What imposter Joey will be doing is shifting the responsibility of who decides on the wage increases. So he will instruct some wise men that are appointed by parliament to decide if the same parliamentarians deserve a wage increase.
These wise men will be confronted with at least two dilemmas
1. They will have to carry the responsibility of potentially telling the people who appointed them that they are as good as s**t and hence they do not deserve the wage rise. That will cause various repercussions amongst which the fact that they themselves would have been appointed by MP who are as good a s**t.
2. These same wise men will have the possibility, by means of their own decision, to determine their own wage increase. Therefore if they say yes to a wage increase they will get one themselves!
joanna farrugia
Dec 4th 2011, 12:00
@ h psalia what dr alfred sant found in those 22 months was inheritance from the previous gov.so please stop twisting facts and trying to fool ppl.
j brincat
Dec 4th 2011, 12:29
They don't know otherwise, Joanna!
One who laughs last laughs the best.
(jb)
Peter Agius
Dec 4th 2011, 13:35
In 22 months! the Economist Dr. Alfred Sant (remember Metalfond) contributed to our shortfall by a deficit of 150 million pounds. I hope this Scicluna is somewhat better.
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 4th 2011, 11:59
Although I have an intrinsic dislike for individuals who push themselves forward as independent but have an evident (at least to the rest) hidden agenda, I am still glad that Scicluna entered the fray. If nothing he will certainly add quality to the utter mediocrity of the PL ranks and also because the PL can now enjoy the services of a real economist and not those of an imposter!
Michael Magri
Dec 4th 2011, 13:52
Mr. Micallef.. You must be living in KooKoo land, as Prof. Scicluna NEVER EVER had any hidden political agendas. He always did his best TO THE BENEFIT OF MALTA AND GOZO, whether in or out of politics...
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 4th 2011, 18:59
oh yes yes yes yes I live in Cuckoo Land! Drin Drin Drin!! someone switch that alarm off! Michael is sleeping!
Joe Busuttil
Dec 4th 2011, 10:31
Is what I read this morning in another paper that the PN are fielding Casa for the forthcoming election, true?
j brincat
Dec 4th 2011, 12:28
LOL!!!!!!
(jb)
j brincat
Dec 4th 2011, 10:30
@Mr Lawrence Calleja
Quote:"Wasn't Prof Scicluna one of Alfred Sant consultants during the years 1996 to 1998 when the PL made a mess out of Malta. Thanks but we do not need these type of persons to manage our country"
And do you know the mess that we are in today?
If you prefer people who have sunk us deep down in debt, then it's obviously your choice!
(jb)
Tony Agius
Dec 4th 2011, 15:17
Results show totaly different from what you say , and we are much better than we were under Labour Govrenment at all times.
m farrugia
Dec 4th 2011, 10:28
ahjar ghax ma nistax nimmagina lil karmenu vella, bhalissa spokesperson ghal finanzi jaghmel il budget
Kenneth Williams
Dec 4th 2011, 13:26
Il Karmenu Vella immaginah jmexxi il Corinthia Group....ara fejn waslu. jaqaw ghandek memorja qasira,Ghax kul fejn kien Karmenu dejjem marru l quddiem. hu Mit turizmu, l industrija u ma kull fejn miss. li tista tghamel oqghod immagina lil Tonio Fenech u lill kull min kien ministru tal finanzi fi zmien in nazzjonalisti, biex tara fejn wassluna
M camilleri
Dec 4th 2011, 10:22
Next election PL will win with more votes than our imagination. This country need a change and after 25 years of the same I say it is about time for change.It is written on the wall that Pl will be in government.Prof Scicluna is a very good move for PL and as we are getting near to the election the Pl is slowly showing his best cards and on the other side PN is getting worst and worst , It would be better for PN to sit on the opposition side to reconstruct it self hopeful,I think that even hardliner of PN think the same in there heart.
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:26
Just as you said with your imagination, because the PL has only imagination and illusions and nothing else to convince the Maltese people.
Michael Magri
Dec 4th 2011, 13:44
Sur Psaila... Again... You must be BLIND and DEAF to come up with such sweeping statements... I realy pitty you dearly...!!
Carmel Grima
Dec 4th 2011, 10:22
Wara kull mossa politika ikun hemm x'wiehed jixtarr u l-PL qed jitghallem x'jonqsu biex jitla fil-gvern: il-floating voter, li kien jistenna lil Dr.George Abela isir Kap tal PL, ghax Dr. Muscat kien zghir wisq u dghajjef biex jilhaq l-altezza tal-monstri politici ghax gej minn l- imhabba u protezzjoni ta' familjietu. Bil-Profs Scicluna, il-floating voter se jahsibha darbtejn kif se jivvota; jekk din mhix xi gimmic biex jigbdu il-floater b'Profs. Scicluna u wara li jitla, u li jien zgur li jitla, jaghazel il-post li ghandu fi Brussels imbasta ikun ghen lil-partit tieghu jitla fil-gvern. Jien nawguralu biss jekk ma jidhakx bil-floating voter u jibqa jaghati s-servizzi tieghu f'Malta.
Kenneth Williams
Dec 4th 2011, 13:43
Naccertak li Joseph zghir kemm hu zghir gab li tal PN jitkellmu wahedhom.
Michael Magri
Dec 4th 2011, 10:05
Hi Prof. Very good decision.. Something that i realy hoped for... ALL... ALONG...
Malta and Gozo ARE in Desperate Need of people with your type of Know How, Abilities, High and Strong Qualifications, Immense Experience World Wide, Unlimited Talent, Professionalism at it`s Best, Honesty, Accountability and Clear Mindness for taking serious but FRUITFUL decisions which our beloved Malta and Gozo alike, realy needs at this desperate moment in time..
Wishing you all the best Prof.
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:28
He never ever made a descent move since he was elected as an MEP, not like the other MEP's namely Simon Busuttil, David Casa and John Attard Montalto.
Michael Magri
Dec 4th 2011, 13:41
Sur Psaila.. You must be BLIND or DEAF to come up with such a sweeping statement.. In that case i realy pitty you dearly.....!!!
Mario Farrugia
Dec 4th 2011, 21:22
well said my friend
pat muscat
Dec 4th 2011, 10:00
Pn apologists are going to find Profs Scicluna a hard nut to crack. He will have a hard time trying to clean the mess Dr Gonzi left behind.
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:29
Yes just like the mess that was left behind by Alfred Sant in only 22months in office.
pat muscat
Dec 4th 2011, 13:21
@Psaila. The four and a half billion euros are at toxic testament and a malignant legacy that successive ' money no problem' PN leaders are going to tie, like a noose around the necks of our children.
d. attard
Dec 4th 2011, 09:51
good example of how technocracy can blend with the democratic process. Good step by Labour.
Marija Falzon
Dec 4th 2011, 09:49
Tonio Fenech or Edward Scicluna to head our economy? My choice is obvious.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Dec 4th 2011, 12:05
Good point. Yes, unfortunately there is only one choice. The PN should continue to lead our country.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Dec 4th 2011, 09:47
Wasn't Prof Scicluna one of Alfred Sant consultants during the years 1996 to 1998 when the PL made a mess out of Malta. Thanks but we do not need these type of persons to manage our country.
R. Gauci
Dec 4th 2011, 10:02
Nahseb il-'mess' mhux Profs Scicluna u Sant ghamluha imma dawk li min LM400 miljun (kwazi E1,000,000,000) f'riservi rnexxielu jgibhom 5,000,000,000 ewros f'dejn Sur Calleja. Titkellkom qieskom ghandkom id-don ta' l-intelligenza meta finanzjarjament irrovinatuna + l-azjendi li inbieghu.
Vera ma tafux tisthu.
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:44
@ Lawrence Calleja - You are totally right because the PL are stating our wonderful Island is in a state of poverty in order to alarm the public, but you can see that from the Government stocks recently issued, going out during weekends either to a bar or restaurant. The PL are trying to alarm the Maltese public of dark days but nothing concrete is coming out of their minds, just only illusions and nothing else.
mark borg
Dec 4th 2011, 09:45
@ Victor Baldacchino
inehhi it tkaxkiriet li qlajtu inthom mil 1971 sa 1987 (ghax ehe fl 81 ahna kellna dritt nigvernaw bil kostituzjoni warajna ) u l -ohra ta 1996 (meta tliftu bil photo finish ta 8,000 vot) insib tas sittinijiet meta kontu tigvernaw mal tal Knisja ta dak iz zmien u timanipulaw l imhuh ta certu nies ..twerwruhom bl infern...u mghad ahna kelna it telfiet ta Europa (li illum bosta jixtiequ jigdmu mingbejhom) u l ahhar elezjoni famuza meta gibtu nies (lil min kien jaqbel lilkhom) jivutaw mil erba tirkieken tad dinja u irbahtu b,elf u erba mitt vot...u gvern bazwi b siggu misluf li qed titkaxkru kul vot li tipruvaw tghaddu u irikattati min nieskhom stess :)
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:35
@ Mark Borg - Veru konna kuntenti dak iz-zmien minn 1971 sa 1987 meta Malta kellha il-borza mimlija flus u ahna mimlijin qamel ghaliex lanqas telefon ma stajna niehdu jekk ma tkunx taf lill xi hadd kbir mill-partit Laburista. Insejt il-friza tal-pagi ghall 5snin shah, insejt id-dawl u l'ilma maqtugh fuq bazi regolari, insejt it-twerwir tal-marmalja Laburista, insejt it-tkissir ta clubs ta'partit politiku, ta'stamperiija, ta'djar privati. Dan nahseb kollhu insejtu int. Imma jiena qatt u qatt mhux sejjer ninsieh ghaliex rajtu b'ghanejja u it-terrur li kien hawn dak iz-zmien.
John Schembri
Dec 4th 2011, 08:55
Professor Scicluna is a competent person in economics , just as Franco Debono is competent in criminal law.
It doesn’t follow that he would be a good minister of finance and the economy, just like Franco won’t be a good minister for justice.
We don’t need to vote for people to give us their solutions , we need MP's who can differentiate between good advice and bad advice.
I ask one question to the “zieda li ha Gonzi PN” propagandists: “Doesn’t this erudite and learned person deserve a handsome salary when he becomes minister?”
Well done for Labour , he’s far better than all the other MLP dinosaurs put together .
Good luck Professor Scicluna, you need a lot of it to work with that bunch.
Vincent Cassar
Dec 4th 2011, 08:49
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Mill-paroli ghall-fatti hemm bahar jikkumbatti. We will wait and see...if ever.
David Bezzina
Dec 4th 2011, 08:36
DEFINETELY, HE IS A VERY COMPETENT PERSON IN HIS FIELD.A GREAT ASSET TO THE LP AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY,TO THE COUNTRY.
mark borg
Dec 4th 2011, 08:23
A real competent gentlemen, that Malta needs to sort out our financial mess, legacy of EFA and GonziPn. No need to wish you good luck professor, as you would be elected with astronomical figures.
j brincat
Dec 4th 2011, 08:17
The right man where it concerns economic matters.
Certainly an invaluable asset to the PL.
I admire him for his patriotic stance since the salary of a local MP is much less that that of an MEP and PL has vowed it will forfeit the € 500 weekly increase in honoraria which the present ministers and PM are presently enjoying.
Good luck!
(jb)
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:05
Yes PL has vowed to set up a commission to see whether an increase in their salaries is justified. What will happen if they justify the increase and they get the same amount as the present MP's are having? Quite obvious they won't renounce it because it was justified. Although the €500 was well known by Labour MP's as when this was justified by MP Mr. Mizzi himself or you forgot.
Wenzu Vella
Dec 4th 2011, 08:14
I hope Professor Scicluna is a better magician than he is an excellent economist to be able to unravel the GonziPN’s MESS he will inherit. He should also make public the true amount of national debt that consecutive PN governments subjected the Maltese tax payers with.
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Dec 4th 2011, 08:06
Jekk il PL jerbah l ellezjoni li jmiss ikolna Ministru tal finanzi sura ta nies warra hafna snin ta Inkompetenza.
mark borg
Dec 4th 2011, 08:34
mal inkompetenza ...konta inzid, tberbieq ta flus (fejn u ma min iridu ) , arroganza spjetata , bla qatra zejt f wicchom,u ma jisthux min alla li halaqhom biex jibqu juru wicchom quddiem in nies.
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:41
@ Mark Borg - U nibqu juru wicchom ghall omrok jew sakemm tista tiftakar. Tkellimt fuq arronganza, mela xi tghid fil-parlament fi zmien 1970 meta kien hemm arroganza spejtata u theddid matul kwazi kull seduta. Imn'Alla kien il-PN li din l'arroganza, theddid. Dan kien kollhu bil-bona fede tal-puluzija ta dak iz-zmien ghaliex veru ma kienu jaghmlu xejn u qatt ma hadu passi kontra xi hadd. Jiena nahseb dak iz-zmien kien veru pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse.
Anthony Mizzi
Dec 4th 2011, 07:13
Now there's TALENT !
Joseph's pool of talent is fast becoming a lake!
No pool of limited talent here!
M. Bezzina
Dec 4th 2011, 06:13
For sure he will be elected
Jesmond Chetcuti
Dec 4th 2011, 09:58
the new Finance Minister.....and also lets hope , Marlene Mizzi and Grech (the other MEP) join ranks...those are the sort of people that the LP need in government...its not going to be easy and we need the best...
John F. Galea
Dec 4th 2011, 02:38
I am positive that Dr. Scicluna will be backed by most of the Labourites and that he will be elected. It is good to have new blood.
Philip Hili
Dec 4th 2011, 00:47
Dawn x'affarijiet huma??? "saying he had been invited by Joseph Muscat to join the labour team for the coming elections."
Mela bhalissa ma' min qieghed dan il-professur, mhux MEP f'isem il-PL? Why JM invited ES to join?
Tista' tifhem xi haga ghaziz qarrej?
mark borg
Dec 4th 2011, 08:13
Dazgur li nista nifhem ghaziz kittieb...qed nifhem il paniku (u bir ragun) li nies bhalek ,meta taraw xi tkaxkira se tlaqtu fl-elezzjoni li tmiss...dak li nista nifhem mill ewwel...meta taraw x nies ta stoffa se tipruvaw tikompetu.
Victor Baldacchino
Dec 4th 2011, 08:57
mark borg.
Ejja nghidu qlajna tkaxkira, kemm it tkaxkira hadtu f'25 sena .Lol.
Aghti naqa cans u naraw???????
Louis Craus
Dec 4th 2011, 09:32
Nista nifhem ta. Nahseb li INT l-problema li ma tistax tifhem.
Ghandek ragun fuq kollox li ma tistax tifhem. U vera nithassrek.
Vera li l- professur qieghed f'isem il- PL.
Int li ma tistax tifhem hu kif Franco Debono, Jesmond Mugliett, Jeffry Pulicino Orlando u hafna ohrajn,suppost qedin mal--PN u ma jisthux jaqblu ma' Gonzi PN. Jekk int qieghed f'dak il- bahar ta' nkwiet ,mohhok ma jkunx jista jahdem sewwa. U int ghalhekk li ma tistax tifhem.
Issa oqghod kalm u rrifletti dak li gheddtlek habib. Pero ghamel kuragg,ghax m'intix wahdek li ma tistax tifhem fil- PN.
Il-futur ta' pajjizna ma' nistghux navdawh aktar ma' Partit bhal dan.
Issa qdiem wisq . Dan jghiduh hafna Nazzjonalisti. Hemm bzonn ta' bidla.
Min ma' jbiddilx iqammel ........jghid il- Malti. Ghamel bhal hafna u ggedded.
Nixtieqlek hafna gid. Ahseb u haddem mohhok.
Sahha w sliem u nixtieqlek hafna gid.
DAVID D. PACE
Dec 4th 2011, 09:34
PHILIP HILI, minhabba nies bhalek se nivvota Labour ghall-lewwel darba. Xbajt nisma' u nesperienza ARROGANZA.
Jonathan Zammit Lapira
Dec 4th 2011, 11:13
Donnok inti biss thawwadt sur Hili. Ga qabadkom il-bard tisimghu li se jikkontestaw nies bhal Profs. Scicluna. Jekk int veru Malti u tixtieq il-gid lil pajjizek imissek tifrah li jaf ikollna ministru bhal Profs. Scicluna. We need technical people to govern our country not amateurs.
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:15
@ Louis Callus - It is true that some Nationalist MP's were against certain issues but that tells you how a democratic party runs. This does not apply with PL because when Ms. Coleiro Preca showed she was against divorce all she had was treats on her family (that is what you call a democratic party). Apart from that when Mintoff was all out against Alfred Sant, he was demoted for a Traitor when was actually called a Saviour. I don't think you forgot that did you?
Although your party is saying that they have changed but only the outer skin and the emblem and nothing else. It is still the same party I have know for more than 30years. Nothing concrete comes out of Joseph Muscat's mouth just illusions.
John Attard
Dec 4th 2011, 00:24
Good news for the country
Mark. Galea
Dec 3rd 2011, 23:43
Well, I might be mistaken, but might it not be the preparation of a new leader, should PL lose next elections?
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 4th 2011, 08:06
Dream on Mark.
Joseph Camilleri
Dec 4th 2011, 10:07
PL dont impress me... In 1996 we had the lie of the century with the VAT removal promise and the mess the same party created in our country... If and only if, and it's a BIG IF - labour is elected, it will not be with my vote...
Apart from anything, we have now been having it too good for much too long, time to change... We are too use of living a free and comfortable life, time for Malta's downfall... Vote labour for change... Xejn sew!
lilly vella
Dec 3rd 2011, 23:19
se nkunu l aqwa , u se nkunu l ahjar , u se noffru l ahjar , bl aqwa nies , u bl aqwa strategijji.
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:49
Imma m'ghandkom xejn konkret biex tikkonvincu il-poplu Malti, kull ma ghandkom huma illuzonijiet . Issa taret it-tama tas-Sargas ghaliex issa skond engineer qal li mhux vijabbli li tuza din is-sistema. Nispera li ghandu li illuzonijiet ohra Joseph Muscat.
Joe Mallia
Dec 3rd 2011, 22:34
'This, he said, was a new challenge, but Labour needed a strong economic team at a time when the life of the nation was dominated by events in the EU.' I thought that only Malta was in a dire financial situation and that all this was Gonzi's fault. What a bunch of hippocrites.
H. Psaila
Dec 4th 2011, 11:25
@ Joe Mallia - Hypocrites are the PL before 1996 elections Alfred Sant stated that the Mater Dei hospital is waste of Maltese money, the ships for Gozo Channel was waste of money . When in government the Mater Dei instead of 400 beds he enlarged it to 800 beds and made it as a Central State Hospital, the ships for Gozo Channel were to be delivered as soon as possible. Apart from that he also took of VAT to be replaced by CET in which the country made a dive in the economic and financial situation.
So what a bunch of hypocrites are the PL party. A party that never changes and is only based on illusions and nothing else.
joseph azzopardi
Dec 3rd 2011, 22:32
Good news. An asset for All the people of the Maltese Islands
Pule' Carmel
Dec 3rd 2011, 22:19
The Economy needs more than economists to follow a healthy path.
John Schembri
Dec 4th 2011, 12:42
Well said Professor Pule’.
M Mamo
Dec 3rd 2011, 22:15
il-Partit gdid! mintix tara
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 3rd 2011, 21:52
This proves the stuff Labour is made of, Country before money.Profs Scicluna will be the finest Finance Minister we shall soon have. Good luck Edward and may God help you in the difficult task which you shall face.
John Zammit
Dec 3rd 2011, 21:50
This is great news for all PL supporters and much more for the thousands of disgruntled PN supporters and and most of all the floaters
Henry Mifsud
Dec 3rd 2011, 21:50
Now that's a breath of fresh air. A sage decision indeed. Thanks Prof. Scicluna. Malta needs you desperately.
Saviour Cachia
Dec 3rd 2011, 21:27
Welcome Profs. Scicluna, you will be an asset for the Labour Party. The LP needs persons with your credibility to return to power. Maybe others in the LP European Parliament core, will follow. I do not need to pinpoint the person/persons. Again Profs. Scicluna I am sure persons like you will help to raise the calibre of the Maltese parliament. Yes I know it is a long and windy road, but you should make it.
Hildbrand Bianco
Dec 3rd 2011, 21:23
Welcome and thanks Mr Edward Scicluna.
Malta needs you urgent.
PL has a wonderful selection of new candidates, which makes us very proud. PL has very strong candidates with very strong credentials.
Albert Farrugia
Dec 3rd 2011, 21:16
This is very very good news for the LP. One thing though. I hope that Edward is being prepared for what awaits him. He is being let loose among a pack of hungry Nationalist wolves who will now begin to tear at his very soul. However, he should also be aware that even within his own party envy at his postion will be felt for sure. Politics is not a University lecture room. That said, Prof. Scicluna should be the best thing that happened to the LP in a generation. He is one of the very few public figures in malta who has been trusted by both political sides. Good Luck!
mark borg
Dec 4th 2011, 08:30
You could not have said it better...GonziPn and a small number of his klikka, currently riding the gravy train are a bunch of hungry wolves willing to sell their own mothers if needs be, so they could keep living it off at the tax payers’ expense.....Do not be afraid Professor Scicluna because all Maltese with good intention (PN and PL) are behind you as you would see in the elections.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Dec 3rd 2011, 21:14
Good move!