Gazing through the crystal ball of reality

The new year, 2013 will certainly be an eventful one, both on the home front and beyond.

It will see the most powerful man in the world take his oath of office in Washington. This will be Barack Obama’s second and final term of office.

Since he now has nothing to lose, he may want to make the tough decisions that he knows have to be taken but which he hesitated in making fearing it could make him unpopular and so lose the election held last November.

Because of his background and culture, many had hoped Mr Obama would be determinant in helping to solve the Middle East crisis. The latest developments, whereby the Palestinian Authority was given a sounder presence within the United Nations, did not go down well with Israel. Mr Obama must now take the bull by the horns.

Another country he needs to focus more on and take resolute action is, of course, Syria. Enough death and destruction has occurred. The big players, particularly China and Russia, must prove they mean what they say: that they are for the people and not for everlasting power.

The situation in many Arab countries also requires more work and attention if the Arab Spring is truly to blossom.

On the home front, the most significant event this year will be the March 9 election.

Though the Labour Party, which has been in opposition since 1987 bar a brief 22-month stint in power, enjoys a comfortable lead in the polls, there is always the danger of complacency. Five years ago most would have bet their bottom euro that Labour would win but, still, in the very last days of the campaign the Nationalist Party was able to make inroads and ended up winning, even if by just a whisker.

Parliament should be dissolved on January 7 – unless it is forced to reconvene to debate a motion of impeachment in Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, whose case is being studied by the Commission for the Administration of Justice.

Between January 7 and Election Day, this country will be going through an electoral campaign that promises to be a very fierce one. Judging by the dirty tricks already experienced, it may well be nasty too.

It is easy for leaders and party exponents to speak of mutual respect, democratic exercises and alternative government. Their real test comes when they are on the ground, leading their ‘foot soldiers’ on the ‘battle field’.

All of us need to constantly bear in mind that we reap what we sow and that if we sow the wind we can expect to reap the whirlwind. So it would not be amiss for the political leaders to make a New Year’s resolution to treat each other with full respect.

Another challenge that will have to be addressed and solved this year is the situation prevailing in the administration of justice. What with the cases involving Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco and former judge Raymond Pace, this has now become an urgent matter.

The Times has already called for a comprehensive review of the state of the judiciary. The sooner this is done the better.

So, 2013 promises to be quite a year. Nobody can foresee the future but all of us can do our little bit to make this world and this tiny island better places to live in.

A very happy and prosperous new year to all.