Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in the doorway of Auberge de Castille yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

He stood behind a well-lit podium in the doorway of Auberge de Castille, in Valletta, but, unlike on March 11, Joseph Muscat did not have flag-waving supporters in front of him.

The Prime Minister was there to address journalists on his Government’s performance since taking office amid scenes of jubilation three months ago.

A temporary stage was erected on the steps to accommodate the media and traffic was diverted away from the roundabout as Dr Muscat spoke of the 100 days, which he described as “a calm transition”.

He listed the initial priorities: getting the energy plan to reduce utility bills up and running, making sure EU funds are not lost and issuing calls for expressions of interest for major projects.

In a dig at the Opposition, Dr Muscat said the previous Administration had stopped functioning for a whole year to deal with internal dissent, postponing important decisions and not preparing for a proper handover.

He also used the occasion to announce the first reshuffle – a small but significant one – which saw the Justice Parliamentary Secretariat being transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister (see separate story).

Injustices have to be addressed but our country has to turn a new page

He announced the creation of a consultative council for the south and the appointment of Labour MP Michael Falzon as Commissioner Against Bureaucracy.

Dr Muscat spoke of his “disgust” at the level of bureaucracy he found and said Dr Falzon’s remit would be to cut red tape by 25 per cent.

“We are at a stage where a decision taken by the Prime Minister takes days to be implemented and this is not bureaucracy to guarantee accountability but simply a procedure of habit,” he said.

In a veiled reference to the public outcry by Labour supporters and officials over the appointment of TV personality Lou Bondì to a festivities committee, Dr Muscat insisted he was everyone’s Prime Minister.

“Injustices have to be addressed but our country has to turn a new page,” he said.

In a Facebook post, Labour MEP Joseph Cuschieri had lashed out at the decision saying Labourites wronged by “Mr Bondì’s government” were still waiting for justice.

Asked specifically about this criticism, Dr Muscat said injustices suffered by civil servants under the previous Administration – people who were not given promotions – had to be rectified as quickly as possible.

“I can understand the anger of the party grassroots but I’ve been there and done that. Five years ago, I had the same criticism when I started opening up the party to former Nationalists,” Dr Muscat said.

On the excessive deficit procedure initiated by Brussels, Dr Muscat said he was “optimistic” that public finances would end the year below the three per cent deficit threshold despite scepticism that Malta would need two years to do so.

He said that, for the first time, the Finance Minister was receiving monthly accounts of actual revenue and expenditure against projected figures.

Noting that unemployment data showed encouraging signs, Dr Muscat cautioned against jubilation. “I want to ensure this is a trend.”

After taking questions from journalists, the Prime Minister walked back into Castille past a row of Maltese and EU flags and up the stairs to the Cabinet room to meet Cabinet ministers.

The first three months were up and another 57 months until the end of the legislature beckoned.

Calculating the 100 days

Joseph Muscat was sworn in as Prime Minister on March 11, two days after the election. The 100 days have been calculated from the day he entered his office at Auberge de Castille as Prime Minister.

Traditionally, the first 100 days have been regarded as the honeymoon period for any new government as it finds its feet after an election.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com