Let's unite to face the challenges ahead - Muscat
March 10, the day after people cast their vote in a general election, should be one like any other with all the people emerging as winners irrelevant of the result, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this evening.
In his message for the New Year, Dr Muscat said that the country had major challenges ahead, not just economic ones, but ones that would put the country under scrutiny.
These included the presidency of the European Union in 2017, for which Malta should start to prepare.
This challenge, Dr Muscat said, cannot be won by half the people, irrespective of who is in government.
Other challenges were the creation of employment, wealth and social services.
Dr Muscat’s message in full can be read in the pdf link below.
Attached files
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62 Comments
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Paul Bonello
Jan 1st, 20:27
Sheer hypocricy. Joseph says he wants national unitity when he created a wide division within his own party between the adherents of Old Labour and the so called New Movement's more centrist blood. Joseph asked Dr Farrugia to resign about the vote rigging case on the eve of elections but had remained mute when the PN asked fhis resignation in July 2010. Joseph squeezes you out and throws you away.
Joe Sammut
Jan 1st, 18:21
Unite in Joseph’s jargon means “my way”. Ask Anglu Farrugia , Jason Michallef and Adrian Vassallo.
Can’t trust him and never will.
@DD Galea: anyone can speak nice words, actions speak louder than words.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Jan 1st, 17:27
Imma dan Joe Muscat ma jisthiex. Issa jghid li jrid poplu maghqud. Tajjeb li jkun jaf li l-poplu Malti kien totalment maqsum bil-vjolenza fl-era socjalista fis-snin 70 sal- 1987. Kien il-PN li gab l-ghaqda fost il-poplu imma Joe tant jixtieq li jintesa il-passat tal-PL li qed jipprova jqarraq bin-nies
DD Galea
Jan 1st, 08:58
Taqbel jew le mal PL, kliem li jaghmel hafna sens.
Joe Vella
Jan 1st, 08:51
Mhux zmien li tbiddel. Barra minn hekk ma hemm xejn car dwar liema direzzjoni irridu niehdu wara Marzu.
B. Borg
Jan 1st, 09:13
Mhux zmien li tbiddel!!
M Saliba
Jan 1st, 09:19
Min ma jbiddilx iqammel. :-)
G Mangion
Jan 1st, 09:24
Joe Vella:
jista Dak li Wieghed Biss, ibiddel xi haga ??? Jew il P.N fil Gvern li bil - fatti Kollha Jwettaq dak li Jwiejed ?
Fuq dak li Diga Ghamel ....
G. Mangion ......
Joe Borg (Senior)
Jan 1st, 11:17
Mhux hekk hu, nhallu kollox kif inhu halli mbad ara kif l-arroganza tisplodi.
Hares biss lejn Dr.Simon Busuttil, qabel lahaq deputy leader kif kien jitkellem bhalha MEP fejn anka fahhar lil 4 deputati tal PL.
Ara issa kif qed jargumentha, b'arroganza liema bhala, fejn sa hansitra qed jibghad in-nisa tad-dar biex jargumentaw u ma jhallu l-hadd jghid kontra l-gvern (il-kommunisti kienu jaghmlu hekk!
Pierre Fenech
Jan 1st, 08:31
Change is needed... We need some fresh air. Change is healthy for every country. Long stays in power result in cobwebs being created and when such happens there will be the need for a clean up. Obviously those forming part of the cobweb will try to scare all of us. It is not only in Malta but everywhere. People who have the ability to think subjectively come easily to such conclusion.
Fran Abela
Jan 1st, 08:13
Totally agree with you Dr. Muscat. Now tell your party's newspapers to cease their daily diatribe against the government. It is quite OK to disagree with and criticise the government, but never mentioning what has been done right smacks of partisanship. By the way, do we get to know the day after the elections who the new government is going to be since you mentioned the day after ?
George Azzopardi
Jan 1st, 08:51
Yes of course that's what you expect from some PN loyalists. So we have our public TV station completely dominated by GonziPN and WE who are continuously working closely together in favour of PN strategy.
We also have NET TV who is much more agressive than OneTV as regards party propoganda and you want also to shut One's mouth in critising a failed GonziPN and overthrown Government!
David Magro
Jan 1st, 08:51
Mr.Abela, do not be sarcastic! Reciprocity must come from both parties....happy new year and leave up after 7th January 2013 for campaigning.
Joe Borg (Senior)
Jan 1st, 08:59
Kif ma tisthux titkelmu .. mhux ahjar tara x'inhu jigri fuq PBS li suppost hu x-xandir tal-istat! Tista biss tara programmi bhal tal-WE (Xarabank w Bond+) w ohrajn bhal TVAM/PM ta Portelli/WE etc
Mhux biss .. biex tara l-istrategija ta GonziPN issa ghandna TVM2 (ex Education22) li jkompli jirrepeti programmi li jaqbilhom, b'hekk zgur li propoganda tilhaq lil kulhadd! U jekk trid nghidlek iktar!
George Azzopardi
Jan 1st, 07:45
Sur Polidano .. happy new year which looks brighter with PL victory ahead.
As JM said you're being scared by GonziPN for nothing. After almost 25 years a change is certain and for the better!
This happened in 1987 after 16 years of MLP governing and when this happened, PN's first 5 years were very successful!
Again, similar to 1971 and the first 5 years which were MLP's best to the country.
G Tonna
Jan 1st, 02:06
Agreed on the unity aspect but perhaps Joseph Muscat should clarify his party's position on this one:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120413/local/korean-news-agecy.415311
North Korea has been described as a totalitarian, Stalinist dictatorship with an elaborate cult of personality around the Kim family and one of the lowest-ranking in human rights.
G Schembri
Jan 1st, 10:24
Is that all you can say about JM. A report on a totalitarian newspaper, quoting a totalitarian, stalinist dictarship representative. If you don't have faith in such a regime how can you believe their newspapers?
Joe Borg (Senior)
Jan 1st, 11:11
hallina sur Tonna .. kampanja ta biza li mhux qed tkun success!
G Tonna
Jan 1st, 11:44
I expect the party who is presenting itself as the alternative government and a potential winner at the next election to declare itself in its manifesto against the socialist regime of North Korea in so far as the human rights and the Stalinist dictatorship methods are concerned.
Joe Borg (Senior)
Jan 1st, 13:09
Sur Tonna, kif qed tghid fuq N.Korea biss ghax sa ftit zmien illu wkoll kontu tghidu kontra c-Cina imma issa ma ghadkomx. Ghidilna ghalfejn ma tghidux fuq c-Cina kommunista li ghada sal-llum.
Bhal tal-Libja din w l-ahhar Prim Ministru li mar jilaghaq lil Gaddafi. Mbad qadu jghid fuq iz-zjarat ta Gaddafi fiz-zmien Mintoff meta nies tieghu kienu ghadhom ihobbuh w meta kien qed jghina finanzjarment!
anton murcia
Jan 1st, 01:53
Muscat mentions the challenge of social services. He should know that the opportunity cost of reducing utility bills such those of water and electricity will be a reduction in available funds earmarked for other purposes included infrastructure, social and welfare benefits ! Don't tell me he will reduce waste, etc... many a politician has promised that before, but was never able to do it.
David Magro
Jan 1st, 08:54
Mr.Murcia, at least there is a commitment for accountability from Joseph Muscat part...do we have that from the other side....we have witnessed many broken promises from the other side...full me once shame on you...fool me twice shame on me...that wont happen again...happy new year full of changes.
Joe Borg (Senior)
Jan 1st, 11:17
tidher li gej min partit ta 25 ta poter li ghejja w qed jimxi biss b'arroganza.
Tinduna kif nies bhalekk jagixxu bl-istess stil ta GonziPN li wara li wieghed kollox issa qata qalbu w baqa jitkaxkar meta kien jaf li l-ahhar sena haddem b'ghan wiehed biss, mhux ghal gid ta Malta imma biex jara kif jerbah il-voti! Qtajtu qalbkom imma hemm partit li ghandu entuzjasmu kbir biex iwettaq!
adrian attard
Dec 31st 2012, 22:51
this clip made me remember queen Elizabeth II's speech when Diana passed away!
Paul@ Micallef
Dec 31st 2012, 22:40
The right words to say but the wrong way to do. Alfred Sant did exactly this and he was sabotaged all the way until the very last moment he remained as PM. Wishing all a happy new year.
Joe Borg (Senior)
Jan 1st, 13:18
Niftakarwkoll lil Loius Galea jwedna platt shun w tabib b'XEJN!
Mr Ernest Vella
Dec 31st 2012, 22:37
Jekk mohhu biex ikun l-izghar Prim Ministru ma tantx jista jaghmel hafna
M Cassar
Dec 31st 2012, 22:16
All this talk about the 2017 EU presidency started when Simon Busuttil spoke about it. It has dawned on him voters might think twice before trusting Labour with such an important task. Busuttil also spoke about the 50th anniversary of Independence. Strangely enough this anniversary does not seem important for Muscat. I guess if it suits him vote wise he'll swallow hard and mention it soon.
shirley tamti
Dec 31st 2012, 22:00
happy new year to all my fellow bloggers! happy new year to dr gonzi who in my opinion has shown political cleverness by retaining the government till the very end and to dr joseph muscat who has shown outstanding guts in his decision making to promote accountibility and meritocrary. i think that this election will be faught between two formidable opponents and let's pray that the best one wins.
jm busuttil
Jan 1st, 10:58
@ shirley tamti
All the floaters I know speak about the economy vis a vie other European countries you state to differ and only state the cleverness of dr Gonzi in retaining the government ,while the major achievement was of dealing with the economic worst situation ever for the past five years while dr Muscat never acknowledged it.
shirley tamti
Jan 1st, 21:12
@mr busuttil! i don't want to be personal but you have a tendancy to pretend that everyone agrees 100% with your views. in another blog you asked me to get lost because i didn't agree with 1% of your views regarding the disset episode! i respect the view that your floating acquentances you CLAIM to have! that doesn't mean that every floaters should think exactly your way or get lost.
G. Borg
Dec 31st 2012, 21:59
Nice way on showing how to unite, during the last budget vote !! Give us a break Mr. Muscat.............
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Dec 31st 2012, 21:44
Where is the BEEF?
“The BEEF will be served on January 7th.” says JM!
Countdown in progress: …Minus 7 days and counting …
JC.
George Azzopardi
Jan 1st, 11:14
yes, also can't wait to hear the beef coming out of Simon Busuttil's mouth!
Michael Seychell
Dec 31st 2012, 21:28
"Other challenges were the creation of employment, wealth" - If history repeats this challenge will not be won by a Labour Govt. since the jobs they created were only military corps, and wealth remained in the coffers of the country and not in people's pockets. Under thePN government Social services were directed more in favour for those in need than by the M/LP under Sant.
M Seychell Pieta
B. Farrugia
Dec 31st 2012, 21:25
Spoken well and as a statesman.
A leader who would unite the Maltese.
Karen Cauchi
Dec 31st 2012, 21:22
Kemm hu cool il-leader...juzha l-Apple !!! dan minn mindu l-xmas messages ikun fihom reklam !!! L-Awtorita tax-Xandir imissa igieghllu jaghmel "Dan il-messagg fih it-tqeghid tal-Prodott"
Osservazzjoni ohra Dr. Muscat, if that's your desk (laptop facing the curtains), the frame has to face you not us !!
Ehhh...and next time set the teleprompter to your eye level...qed thares il-fuq !
jm busuttil
Jan 1st, 08:49
Good observations Karen.
And this guy want's to so call reconstruct our country. Kollox bil-maqlub.
vincent Lia
Dec 31st 2012, 21:21
Why did it take him more than four years to realize this, just as long as it took him to realize Anglu was not an asset to him any more. Who wants to have a PM that takes over four years to decide on anything?
Angelo Polidano
Dec 31st 2012, 20:59
I hope that J.M. will keep to his words even if he does not win the election! A lot of people are counting the chickens before they hatch.
j brincat
Dec 31st 2012, 20:51
@Alfred Falzon
"The PL should first start by apologizing to all those it has crudely cast aside & make urgent amendments for its shortcomings!"
AND when has the PN apologised?
Perhaps they should lead by example!
jb
Alfred Falzon
Dec 31st 2012, 22:23
@ j brincat
So the PL will only follow suit if the PN does so!
And some were cheeky enough to call the PL "copycats"!
Not only honesty but MODESTY is the BEST POLICY, PL!
And I know what I am saying because I have tasted your arrogance!
Alfred A Falzon
Denis Pace
Dec 31st 2012, 23:00
It is indeed ironic that, if Labour were to win the next election, the very person who fought so hard that Malta stays out of the EU and denigrated what it stood for, would be the person to lead the presidency of the EU.
That is what I call a U turn!
Joe Borg (Senior)
Jan 1st, 13:27
@Denis Pace .. taf kemm il-UTurn ghamel Gonzi dan l-ahhar 5 snin! Ibda min 600 Euro zieda w spicca min ta 25% IT ghax l-ewwel wedna li ha jaghmilha, mbad qal li ma jistax jaghmilha u issa il-wicc tosta weghda fuq budget li jaf li ma kienx ha jghadi w iktar w iktar fuq tlett snin meta jaf kli 99%% ha jkun fl-oppozzjoni!! Biex ma nsemilikx tal-Park & Ride, il-barriera ta katidral San Gwann etc.
Ivan Sammut
Dec 31st 2012, 20:50
@H Zammit. I believe it was the Prime Minister who went campaigning round Valletta's shops on Christmas Eve. I am sorry that Nationalist leaning commenatators can't bear to sniff the wind of change ... well after 25 years breathing the same air ... Happy New Year to all who unite under the Maltese flag!!
Fran Abela
Jan 1st, 08:10
Four (14) years dear Mr. Sammut - 14 years - why insist on forgetting the two years of Labour Government in 1996-1998. Something to be ashamed of maybe ? Let the winds change direction if that is what the majority of the Maltese would want.
j brincat
Dec 31st 2012, 20:46
Well said!
Let it be as you said but history has shown that it will not be so!
It takes two to tango. Will the other side play ball too as you wish? I have great doubts!
In any case Happy New Year to ALL.
jb
Victor Vella
Dec 31st 2012, 20:22
March 10, the day after people cast their vote in a general election, should be one like any other with all the people emerging as winners irrelevant of the result,- This shows that with the LP or the PN nothing will be change except the outer package of the same product. A great apathy with no sign of difference. Muscat is offering an undifferentiated product mimic that of GonziPN.
H Zammit
Dec 31st 2012, 20:14
No politics mentioned .................. :-) Happy New Year
Mario Mercieca
Dec 31st 2012, 20:10
Yes Joseph, so many people will eat tomorrow with your new year wishes, I hope you will find equal time to spell out whats in store for us after the 19th of March..if you intend to change nothing don`t bother to present yourself and your old mates.
Julian Borg
Dec 31st 2012, 20:02
He cannot act without an audience........pathetic!
Joseph Pavia
Dec 31st 2012, 20:15
Mr Julian Borg! What good is a politician without an audience?
Wally Vella-Zarb
Dec 31st 2012, 20:33
???? Perhaps you can now explain to us the meaning of your profound comment?
Julian Borg
Dec 31st 2012, 20:52
Impossible to use the term profound in the same context as Joseph Muscat.
Alfred Falzon
Dec 31st 2012, 19:54
The PL should first start by apologizing to all those it has crudely cast aside & make urgent amendments for its shortcomings!
If somebody mentions to me d PN then I'd say that together with d PL both Parties r like peas in a pod.
AD remains essentially a pressure group with very little chance if any of toppling d Establishment!
All playing musical chairs with one goal in mind!
Alf A Falzon
George Cutajar
Dec 31st 2012, 19:44
The most important thing in JM's mind is not the festive season but the 2017 Presidency of the EU. That is all he thinks about. Now let's go for a piece of beef. Happy New Year to all. May 2013 be as prosperous as 2012.
Marion Storace
Dec 31st 2012, 21:42
@ Geroge Cutajar - I think you're mixing Dr. Muscat with Dr. Gonzi who went vote catching on Christmas Eve so much for the truce during the festivities. With no majority in parliament he still stubbornly dragged his feet as he cannot let go the seat of power - whose mind is on the festive season???pray do tell us.
May 2013 will bring about the wind of change to all Maltese and Gozitans alike.
Karl Consiglio
Dec 31st 2012, 19:29
Ok Joseph we're united already now for crying out loud whats the plan man?
twanny borg
Dec 31st 2012, 19:38
mhux nimxu fuq il-budget li gie prezentat!!!
Joe Tabone
Dec 31st 2012, 19:43
Karl,
You mean the beef..............being served shortly. Don't hold your breath too long!
Happy New Year.
Carl Carabott
Dec 31st 2012, 20:30
karl don't run.you will only die tired !!
never blame a movment....spectially in malta!
Karl Consiglio
Dec 31st 2012, 23:44
Don't run? PN have been in government for 25 years and the PL still havent offered any alternatives yet.
Please choose the reason of your report below: