We live in interesting times. Joseph Muscat fired a warning shot against the EU with talks of vetoes and other scaremongering. To me it sounded more like just a short step away from raving racism. 

Muscat himself said that this might sound “heartless”, adding that the migrants were rescued because of the exceptional circumstances the boat and its occupants were in. I thought you rescue people in distress even if the circumstances are not exceptional.

The Prime Minister said that he is saying all this as it is in line with what the public thinks. Frightening words, concepts and spin that will get out of control and give the agitated population even more fodder for their racist slurs. Just looking at the Times online comments is enough to make me and all sane people shudder. When racism or any tinges of it are endorsed by the highest authorities the population—or the racist amongst us—go even more far-right and feel comfortable increasing their dose of terrible language.

This has to stop now. Joseph Muscat is right now a beleaguered Prime Minister whose ship of state is hardly impressing observers. After a few months there are somewhat too many leaks in said ship. Unless he deals with those leaks, changes his attitude and starts firing or keeping some of his minions in check, Malta under his stewardship will be remembered not for the way it embraced progress and anything liberal but for its extremist tactics.