I wouldn’t call it exactly a sea change and I do not know how long it will last. But there is discernible warming up in the spring political climate between the two major political parties. After a year, during which fangs were drawn and they were yelling themselves hoarse, there is a calmer approach and a smile appears here and there.
In reality, the aggro came mostly from the Nationalist side. They attributed it to a necessary reaction to the government’s arrogance. It was much more than that. An Opposition routed to the humiliating extent the Nationalists were defeated a year ago has to regroup to show that it has not become a walkover.
Trouble was that the regrouping was too harsh. Elements within the parliamentary group took it upon themselves to be as belligerent as they could. Natural though the approach was, they took it to such an extreme that they were dissenting voices within the group itself, as well as outside it.
It is accepted that government and Opposition do not agree on most areas. The Opposition has to watchdog the government all the time on behalf of the people and to demonstrate that it can be an alternative government.
Nevertheless, opposition has to be sensible. It has to take place within the clash and contrast of alternative ideas, the essence of democratic exchange, not through constant negativity. That is what the Nationalists were showing. They now seem to have had a rethink.
They still oppose the government, of course. That is how it should be. The two sides cannot grow too cosy together.
But confrontation has to be civil, based on one’s arguments and skill to put them forward. That skill exists within the Opposition whose new crop of MPs makes up for a pool of considerable talent.
It was not enough for them to go along with the government as it presented a raft of liberal legislation. The Opposition could not afford but to do that. Yet doing so and being negative about everything else cancels out tactical agreement as well.
It now has to be seen how the Opposition’s new approach will work. It says that it demands respect from the government, and so it should. It is in the government’s interest to show it. If it does not respect the Opposition, including through timely consultation in as broad an area as possible, it justifies unreasoned attacks by it.
It now has to be seen how the Opposition’s new approach will work
The change in the political climate is taking place because the Nationalists realised that they were shooting themselves in the foot by being too negative, too abrasive and too confrontational. Yet, two developments at the presidential level helped.
As George Abela approached the end of his tenure as President, it was obvious that he would be given a good send-off by both sides. That is exactly what happened and the glow of his setting sun helped warm up the air.
More surprisingly, the nomination of Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca as his replacement brought about an opportunity for the Opposition to be positive. It was not difficult. Her Excellency is a very warm person. In her constituency she tried to help friend and foe without distinction. She is charismatic and her great focus on the fringes of society, the vulnerable and the needy endears her to all those who follow what she is doing.
The Nationalists would have been crass to oppose her nomination, even though the Prime Minister might have found the time to at least advise the Leader of the Opposition of his intentions. It is to the credit of the Nationalists that they let their new found sense of balance prevail without making a meal of alleged or actual lack of information, not to say consultation.
A third factor of a similar nature flew into the sky. The Prime Minister offended the Leader of the Opposition by not informing him beforehand that he was nominating Karmenu Vella as a European Commissioner. The Opposition leader’s first reaction was to indicate the Nationalists would not back Vella’s nomination.
Then he thought better of it. He let his complaint stand, but not to the point of dissenting on the commissioner nominee. Once again, this was in line with the revision of tactics. But personality also played a part. Vella is another person with plenty of charisma and goodwill. In his gentle way, he said he hoped the Nationalists would back his nomination in the same manner that the Labour Opposition in its time had backed the nomination of John Dalli, Louis Galea and Tonio Borg.
Again, unanimity is expected. It will not cost anything. It will not solve much. But it will allow the political climate to remain as it should be, chilly at times but not all the time.
Perhaps this will create better space for Joseph Muscat and Simon Busuttil to consult off the record on a regular basis.
They would not be undermining themselves thereby but might bring about a better play of politics for the good of all of us.