Spanish MEP warns Malta: This is not the time for adventures
Malta should not embark on “adventures” during this critical moment for the economy, Spanish MEP Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio said today.
“This is not the time for dreams. Everyone loves change but when you are in such a good position, things can get worse. Just look at the countries around you,” she said.
Speaking at a PN press conference, she gave a testimonial about how Spain’s Socialists had hidden the real financial situation of their country hidden and failed to carry out necessary reform.
She said her country was now making huge sacrifices to tackle skyrocketing unemployment, with youth unemployment hitting 56 per cent.
Ms Jimenez-Becerril Barrio said that former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s had a “flower power” attitude which he also applied to the economy, leading to the country’s economic woes.
Also addressing the press conference was PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil who elaborated on his party’s proposals for youth, namely a strengthening of stipends and incentives for young people to set up businesses.
Speaking about The Times’ debate yesterday, Dr Busuttil highlighted the fact that Labour leader Joseph Muscat praised PN’s proposal to give a grant to 21-year-olds to visit a European country. Dr Muscat claimed this was one of Labour’s original ideas but was struck off the manifesto as part of a cost cutting exercise.
“This is a clear admission by Dr Muscat that when Labour wants to cut costs, the first people to suffer will be youths and students,” he said.
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Mario Mamo
Feb 28th, 21:27
@E Bonello
Today, 09:15
OK. We know that the word hurts so let's say ' a small group of people having control of a country ' .......... compliments of the Oxford dictionary. All bloggers please take note. Is that better now Mr. Bonello?
Joe Xuereb
Feb 28th, 14:11
@Ryan Pisani(Today, 12:33). Pisani, from what I gather Maltese MPs were once (medical) doctors and lawyers. But they preferred public accolades plus perks. They are given portfolios that even I, a nonentity, know more about.
Ryan Pisani
Mar 1st, 00:33
Agreed as well.
Joe Xuereb
Feb 28th, 14:02
@Philip Micallef(Today, 00:32). I cannot see the similarity between the Zapatero's Socialist Party in government in 2011 and Muscat's Socialist(?) Party in-waiting. Zapatero ignored the recession (if you say so)and you are saying Muscat 2013 is doing the same thing with his manifesto of promised bounty. But it is PN that's in power and competing with LP with fatuous promises. So let's be fair!
Ryan Pisani
Feb 28th, 12:33
Just a small comment...Teresa Jimenez Becceril Bario studied fashion...not economics.
Mr Kenneth Zammit Tabona
Feb 28th, 10:18
Is it possible that people do not follow the excellent financial documentaries on CNN or bbc ? One of the main causes of Spain's bankruptcy was the over stretched property market and the collapse of the small regional banks which the government is finding impossible to salvage. The writing was on the wall but politics presented either party from pulling the plug. Will malta go the same way?
John Azzopoardi
Feb 28th, 10:09
this is very well said, but the maltese seem to want more. Of course they are very foolish if they believe they are getting more. However, if some issues are addressed, like illegal migration, then some of us will be satisfied.
Ray Woods
Feb 28th, 09:39
This MP's Spanish Government created the bank and property crash whilst turning a blind eye to the building in green areas.
Darren Bugeja
Feb 28th, 08:49
qabel ma nivvotta zgur mhux se naghti kaz x jghidu il barranin....trid tiehu into consideration kif qed jghixu il Maltin.....even people with a tendency to vote pn are of the opinion that this is time for change ......we cannot stick to the present oligarchy so that they will continue to fill their pockets
E Bonello
Feb 28th, 09:15
here we go again oligarchy oligarchy oligarchy oligarchy, you learn one word and there you go oligarchy oligarchy oligarchy pathetic
Joseph Sammut
Feb 28th, 07:14
Can a spanish politician be credible with the mess they are in?
Andre Briffa
Feb 28th, 07:54
She isn't praising what happened in Spain but speaking honestly about the tough times they now face as she is passing through it thanks to a their Socialist Government. We'll all know what it feels like 2 years into the PL legislature.
Simon Scerri
Feb 28th, 08:14
I agree with Andre, she is praising Malta not Spain. With PL in government we are turning back the clock!!
C. J. Żahra
Feb 28th, 08:41
For whoever is not aware, she is coming from the EPP, and supports the party who had to face the mess they are in, not the one which led to it! Get your facts right before doing such statements.
Mario Mamo
Feb 28th, 20:47
Which clock Simon Scerri.....:) Dak li qala' casanova?
Joe Xuereb
Feb 28th, 03:44
Crafty move, GonziPN. The last time I looked the Maltese generally looked up at anything foreign while rubbishing anything Maltese (maybe things have changed; I've been away). So inviting this Spanish Doña/señorita was a good move in the right direction - even if a desperado one - even I know that. How insidious of Gonzi to dupe the Maltese through foreign endorsement, how transparent.
Philip Micallef
Feb 28th, 00:32
I invite all who are criticizing Ms Jimenez Becerril to come over to Spain and see the economic mess left by Zapatero who promised everything to all and refused to recognize that Spain was in recession. Looking from here I see many similarities between PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol) of 2011 and PL of 2013 and hope I am wrong but it may be too late..........
Tony Borg
Feb 28th, 10:16
Dear Philip, you speak from a place basking in the Sun enjoying your new position which This Gov made possible for you. Now you have to do your bit to help them remain in this oligarchic situation of which you were one who benefited the Most. Had they brought a Norwegian or Swedish MEP would have been better , maybe they can tell us how to get things right the first time without Brown envelopes!!
Robert Agius
Feb 27th, 21:03
I suggest the readers to speak to Spanish PEOPLE not leaders of parties to get a realistic perspective of things.....
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 27th, 18:55
Ms Jimenez-Becerril Barrio, I have a dream of having a government that can create enough wealth to be able to control the national debt. Dr Gonzi has failed miserably in this.
George Cutajar
Feb 27th, 18:37
Why are Labour apologists getting so hot under the collar? Is this the democracy you believe in? A few days ago you had various MEP's coming over extolling your leader's and your party's competence so what's wrong if the PN bring some EU cannons over ? After all we are now part of the EU whether you like it or not so you have to play by the rules. And yes France and Spain under the left are in deep ...
cesco di luigi
Feb 27th, 18:24
Dear Madam
just in case you think this is Francoland, read my lips> Here we have a democracy. Each one, one vote. We vote for whom we want and don't need your presumptious interference.
Dora Smith
Feb 27th, 17:53
Teresa who ???? did you know where Malta was prior to the invite :)
Joe Grech
Feb 27th, 16:59
This Spanish MEP, Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio, has overstepped the limits of ethics and diplomacy by getting involved in the electoral campaign so ashamedly.
She should go to preach back home where Spain is unfortunately hard pressed economically.
I hope the new governement will report this MEPs flagrant bad behaviour and consider her a persona non grata!
Joe Grech
Feb 27th, 16:54
Simon Busuttil lost face in Brussels when his calls for 'Solidarity and Burden Sharing'' were rejected by practically every country...and with good reason!
He finished looking a fool - just like Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom whose immigration ''policies'' ended up ruining the interests of EU countries...Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta....
Are you not aware of that MEP Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio?
Valerie Calleja
Feb 27th, 16:52
How dare william Cauchi accuse the PN of rampant corruption?have you ever lived in Spain Sir?
A. Vella
Feb 27th, 16:51
If I'm not mistaken PL has also invited foreign MEP's during this Election Campain giving advice to the Maltese people that the country needs a change. So, if they do not live in Malta they don't know our situation and the luxury we live in. Obviously foreigners are jealous for us Maltese and they don't want us to be better that them. So VOTE PN and let MEP's go to their homes.
Victor Laiviera
Feb 27th, 16:49
Birds of a feather, flock together. Ms Jimenez-Becerril Barrio's Government is also being pressed to resign amid accusation of corruption.
Another auto-goal by the PN.
Joe Grech
Feb 27th, 16:48
@Spanish MEP Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio
Madam, you have certainly overstepped the limits of diplomacy! Hopefully you will be pay for your vile indiscretion.
Go to preach in Spain where such a great country is unfortunately facing serious economic problems.
We too have had an inefficient, overspending, arrogant administration...perhaps you did not know about that!
Joseph Mizzi
Feb 27th, 16:41
Spanish MEP Barrio is right: change is the least the country needs at the moment. However, the problem is that both the PL and the PN are promising change. Austerity is being thrown out of the windows and both Parties are promising heaven on earth. If change is what the two Parties are promising, then I'd opt for the real change, the one being promised by Labour. PN: more of the same!
william cauchi
Feb 27th, 16:11
Of all people, a Spanish is telling us what do do.
Aren't millions presently calling for the resignation of Spain's current Popular party prime minister, same as the PN, for rampant corruption.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/02/07/287836/millions-call-for-spain-pm-resignation/
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 27th, 16:21
And Muscat telling us that we should have followed Cyprus into the abyss is better in your learned opinion?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 27th, 17:35
The Spanish MEP is advising us what NOT to do here in Malta so that we avoid the Spanish bitter experience of her socialist government.
W. Cassar
Feb 27th, 18:13
@ Wilfred Camilleri
So you are saying being corrupt is better than taking a wrong decision ? I hope not!
Anyway just for the record Cyprus demise was at the hand of its banks linked to Greece and their cover ups of debt. What it has to do with Joesph just because he made a comment is beyond me, but I guess its convenient for some who have nothing else to clutch on to... whatever!
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 27th, 18:44
@ Wilfred Camilleri
This Joseph Muscat and Cyprus thing is just PN spin. The economic crisis in Cyprus arose simply because Cypriot banks for historical reasons invested heavily in Greece. When Greece went down it pulled Cyprus down with it. Nothing to do with wrong economic models. Before the economic crisis Cyprus had one of the highrest standards of living in Europe.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 27th, 19:44
@C J Caruana
So? Muscat advised us to follow Cyprus's example, which was that we should also have invested heavily in Greece with the same dire result. Please think about it and understand that your explanation does not make Muscat's advice any wiser, does it?
Charles W. Sammut
Feb 27th, 19:45
@ Wilfred Camilleri
Perhaps we should take the PN's advice and follow Ireland.
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 28th, 07:27
Dr Saliba, can you please give us the reference to where Dr Muscat told us to invest heavily in Greece? Dr Muscat advised that we carry out the reforms necessary to make us competitive as indeed Cyprus did. It's a pity all Cyprus' good work was destroyed by the irresponsibilities of the right wing government in Greece.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 28th, 15:21
@Carmel J Caruana.
Don't ask me, ask your hero Joseph Muscat to please state clearly, without "mistakes", in when we should have followed Cyprus and when we shouldn't. I do not remember him recommending your edited version. In fact he didn't.
Victor Buhagiar
Feb 27th, 16:02
Simply crap.
Pardon me Ladies and Gentlemen readers of this blog.
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 27th, 16:22
I assume you're talking about the PL's "Pjani caring!"
Massimo Gatt
Feb 27th, 15:49
We don't need any Spanish MEPs to tell us what to do. Malta taghna lkoll!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 27th, 17:18
What you need, very badly indeed, is the MCAST, the stipend and the education that the Nationalist Party is providing for you (whereas the MLP had destroyed them) so as to learn and be able to understand that what the Spanish MEP said was plain common sense, but Muscat wants to change it for what predictably will be a worse scenario.
George Zammit
Feb 27th, 15:32
My mind is at rest. We have so many intelleging gurus here in Malta. We also rubbish MEPs now. Dear Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio, I appreciate your help but seems we sincerely have better experts than you so pack up and leave.
P.S. If we happen to meet in a couple of months spare me the "i told you!' its their choice not mine.
W. Cassar
Feb 27th, 15:50
Well George to be honest ... what does she know of Maltese politics ... also she is a guest of the PN ..Hello what do you think she is going to say? We are no gurus but we were not born yesterday ... how about you?
Mark. Galea
Feb 27th, 14:34
Joseph tecitah hafna l-ekonomija - ghax il-gid jinholoq mix-xejn jghid hu!!!!!!!!!!!!
K. Vella II
Feb 27th, 14:33
"Speaking at a PN press conference, she gave a testimonial about how Spain’s Socialists had hidden the real financial situation of their country hidden and failed to carry out necessary reform."
Do we have any guarantee that Malta's Nationalists haven't done the same?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 27th, 15:23
The guarantee is being given by the independent unbiased organisations of the EU.
The dismal conditions in other countries round the Med are there for those who do not put blinkers to see.
For the blinkered moaners about a non-existent doom and gloom nothing would ever convince them not even the replica of the catastrophe of an aborted Sant PL administration surviving for only 22 months.
j brincat
Feb 27th, 14:26
Oh, please, spare us the thought!
Did she said how much we'd had to contribute to bale her country out?
Please, preach closer to home!
jb
John Borg
Feb 27th, 15:52
I'd rather bail a country out than be bailed out. It means we are enjoying the luxury of a strong economy...but I forgot you have your red blinkers on
Neil Dent
Feb 27th, 16:06
Indhil barrani, eh jb?
That's it, give 'em the good old "go back to your country!" routine.
nd
Norbert Vella
Feb 27th, 14:07
Ma nafx jien min qieghed j'avventura ruhu bejn il-Labour u n-Nazzjonalisti, ghax anke jekk il-labour ifallilu fil-costings tal-powerstation u tigi €200,000,000 iktar, bhal ma qieghed jghid il-partit Nazzjonalista ukoll ikun qieghed jonfoq inqas fuq il-wieghdi li qieghed jaghmel fil-manifest elettorali Sur P. B. Olivier
Joe Busuttil
Feb 27th, 14:06
At least Joseph knows what the PN is proposing,unlike Gonzi,who admitted that he doesn't even know what the PL program holds. And what's more he ,and you Simon , are always stressing that the PL copied their program from yours. And what is your opinion about Gonzi not resigning after the coming defeat? Does this mean that even in opposition he will remain "iggranfat mas-siggu tal-poter?"
B. Farrugia
Feb 27th, 13:55
She is a total stranger and is giving me advise.
Go jump in the lake.
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 27th, 16:24
You will have to jump in the Lake if Muscat wins!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 27th, 17:28
She is speaking from the bitter experience of a Socialist government bringing her nearby country to its knees financially and where we would now be had the Nationalist government acted on Muscat's advice to follow the example of Cyprus.
She is not giving "you" advice - although you evidently need advice badly - she doesn't even know that you exist and would care still less.
Dora Smith
Feb 27th, 17:52
@Wilfred Camilleri : The only jumping I will do is to save YOU as you are drowning in corruption!
B. Farrugia
Feb 27th, 18:18
The puerile and banal responses of the above three have not convinced me,
I still maintain that I am capable of making my own decisions,
and as I said before
the speakers can keep her advise to herself,
and not patronize me or anyone Maltese,
her trip has been a waste of our time and money
and she can go and jump in a Spanish lake.
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Feb 27th, 13:53
That is why the Maltese people want a change in Gov. Because GonziPN is hiding the real financial situation of the country and because the PN Gov. failed to carry out necessary reforms regarding debt and deficit. The financial and economic policies of the PN Gov. are based on debt. Debt that brought Spain to its knees.
The present Gov. of Spain MEP Barrio has worsened the situation in Spain.
Joseph Camilleri
Feb 27th, 13:53
This is very serious, and It is very true, Malta is doing well , changing can only divert us backwards.
D Pisani
Feb 27th, 18:06
Please tell me where you learnt to see into the future.
Glenn Camilleri
Feb 27th, 13:48
Spanish is better that they care of them selves becausr we are on the same verge of fall down. So shut up and let's get a change for a better malta. No one wants you to be better than him. Go home amigos
W. Cassar
Feb 27th, 13:47
I wonder what her opinion is on party financing and corruption?
Mr J Xerri
Feb 27th, 13:44
1: Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio : but cannot things get better too?
2: Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio: You may well know that for the last 25 years we had a Nationalist Governmen and so in our case if the real financial situation of their country has been hidden, it surely not hidden by a Socialist Government.
S. Vella
Feb 27th, 16:02
Amazing, a worrying number of PL supporters have completely thrown 2 years of Sant's government down the drain. Must be great to be in Dr Alfred Sant's shoes - first eulogised all the way to heaven only to be completely written out of the PL history books after.
Neil Dent
Feb 27th, 16:03
J Xerri - it's actually less than 15yrs, not 25yrs. I know the MLP are keen to sweep the 96 - 98 debacle under the carpet at Mile End, but let's try the truth for once, shall we?
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 27th, 18:51
Mr Vella and Mr Dent, I voted against Dr Sant because of his stance against the EU. However, he was much better in handling the economy that Dr Eddie Fenech Adami and Dr Gonzi put together.
James Grech
Feb 27th, 13:43
With all due respect, dear MEP, do you consider going for an energy policy based on gas, implementing laws against corruption & the proposals so that more women enter the job sector, an adventure? Does the MEP consider free childcare centres, reduction of waiting lists, more accountability & transparency tru open government also an adventure? Was the MEP correctly briefed?
Eve Axiaq
Feb 27th, 13:43
'When Labour wants to cut cost the first people to suffer are students" (because Labour is not giving a grant so students can have a free holiday), Simon said. Is this REALLY a suffering? Simon can you please compare with something more serious?
The Spanish MEP did admit that the previous government caused d economic woes. D present government is a puppet of Angela Merkel with austerity measures.
Frans Aguis
Feb 27th, 13:34
Paying politicians to read scripts...I guess we have seen lower things from this party
John L Galea
Feb 27th, 13:33
It is funny taht GonziPN is reverting to foreigners to try the scaremongering campaign as with their people it is not working, so let's bring some foreginers to see if it works. Dear GOnziPN it is not working, your time is up anyway.
Antonio Pace
Feb 27th, 13:33
Now we have it from the horse's mouth!
W. Cassar
Feb 27th, 14:52
Indeed they probably have been eating it.
John L Galea
Feb 27th, 13:32
The Spanish MEP can speak least as her country is not doing great. So how can she come and give us lessons? Moreover, here in Malta the GonziPN tries to hide things and is embroiled in corruption scandals, huge fiascos and finance squandering. So dear Tereza keep your made-up opinion for yourself and focus on to save your country.
S. Vella
Feb 27th, 16:07
You must live in an alternate Malta. Corruption is ever-present in any government and yet it seems that most (not all) of the headlines on corruption /scandals mention people associated with the PL.
Voting PL to get rid of corruption is not credible. As a matter of fact voting any party or individual on an anti-corruption platform is insane.
Wenzu Cole
Feb 27th, 13:08
I love the Spanish sense of humour
Thomas Anderson
Feb 27th, 13:00
We've been having hilarity and tragedy for the past five years, what's wrong with some adventure?
Please choose the reason of your report below: