MEP Simon Busuttil tells The Sunday Times in an interview today his appointment as special delegate to the Prime Minister is no pre-election gimmick.

"I wouldn't blame people for thinking it may be a bit late. But I can assure everyone it's not a gimmick and that I will give all I can to make sure it's a success," the 42-year-old EU expert says.

Dr Busuttil was speaking days after the Prime Minister delegated him to listen to people's concerns, and organise meetings with every sector in the country. The appointment was made hours after Lawrence Gonzi was overwhelmingly confirmed in his post.

Dr Busuttil admits the government has failed to communicate with people and singles out the honoraria issue as a prime example of bad communication, saying the public felt it was introduced in a secretive manner.

However, the popular MEP kept his cards to his chest about his political ambitions and would not admit that his appointment could be seen as the start of a PN leader succession campaign.

"Let's put it this way... I never said I had an ambition to be Prime Minister at 42," he says, in a dig at Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat.

"I'm not a candidate so far because I think politics is not a game of chess. In politics you have to do the job you have today and not think about the job you might have tomorrow. If it has to come, I'll cross the bridge when I get to it," Dr Busuttil says.

Watch excerpts of Dr Busuttil's interview with Herman Grech by clicking the link above. Read the entire interview in today's edition of The Sunday Times.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120304/interview/In-a-special-position-to-respond.409492