The result of the election shows that when people want a change – whatever the rhyme or reason underpinning their desire – they will get it. In 2008 they almost did it. They did not go for it as the popularity of Lawrence Gonzi (the comparatively newer face) had the upper hand when compared to the unpopularity of Dr Sant.

This time round the Labour Party had the new face. The people’s desire to change found in Dr Joseph Muscat a rallying point, and a credible one at that. Nothing that was thrown in his direction struck or dented his credibility. He achieved what other political leaders would have dream of doing. He delivered the victory to the Labour Party and the victory can be described in no other terms than a tsunami.

Quite naturally, leading a party to victory and actually governing a country are two different ball games. Dr Muscat has succeeded in doing the former. For the sake of the country one augurs that he succeeds in doing the other. He has more than a comfortable majority (a bit of an understatement) to be able to move forward. Unlike Dr Gonzi he will not have to keep looking over his shoulder to fend of those in his party who were more than eager to stab him in the back. All those around him know that he stands head and shoulders above them.

This week he will face a number of challenges: the formation of the Cabinet and the EU Summit. The still unsettled international economic situation will be a constant problem. The deadline he set for the lowering of the utility rates started ticking today at noon. Challenges he will undoubtedly face a plenty. His success will mean the country’s success.

I am in no position to counsel Dr Muscat but I would like to adapt to the present situation some of the comments I had written in this blog following the PN victory of  2008. These comments are particularly relevant because of Muscat’s promise to make “Malta taghna lkoll”.

Quite naturally he has a political programme to put forward and it would be wrong of him not to do so. But while doing this it would be a disaster if people feel left out because of their political leanings or attitudes. The people who now feel hurt, abandoned or betrayed have to be shown by concrete measures that there is a place for them and their talents in the building of the country.

I think that the best way to achieve this is for Muscat to leave the greatest possible place and space for civil society to actively participate in all sectors of society. Past experience has shown that in the environment of civil society people of different political persuasions work together for a common aim. The civil society organism is using both lungs to breath. The forging of more civil society/public partnerships is consequently the best way forward.

Competent people of different persuasions should find a place in boards of different entities, councils, companies etc. One could consider the feasibility of asking the MCESD to put forward names of competent people who could then be considered together with others to fill in the posts that will now be vacated on all these groups, councils, company boards etc.

Besides giving us a victor the election gave us a loser: Dr Lawrence Gonzi. His was a humiliating defeat but he should in no way feel humiliated. Dr Gonzi succeeded in keeping our country comfortably afloat when many around us were sinking. This was no mean feat. The incredible stamina of the man complimented his other qualities which were translated in one success after another for our island. Dr Gonzi was magnanimous in victory and exquisitely dignified in defeat. The man deserves the gratitude of friend and foe alike.

The Nationalist Party now needs to regroup and re-organise itself. The choice of a new leader and the top officials of the party provides tough challenges. Recrimination and in-fighting are a distinct possibility. How will the PN surmount these challenges? Only time will tell.