As the country picks up from where it left off before the Christmas holidays, the same issues that kept politicians so deeply engaged in debate will pop up again once Parliament starts meeting again.
As usually happens year after year, by then there would be little left of the goodwill so freely exchanged during the festive period.
Joseph Muscat’s government will continue to be scrutinised every step of the way and Simon Busuttil appears willing to keep the administration on its toes, as every effective parliamentary opposition is expected to do in a democracy. In this respect, Malta is alive and kicking.
There are a number of issues that are expected to resurface with greater force this year.
Among the first is the need to restore trust in the police force following the shooting incident involving the driver of the former home affairs minister. Another is that over the need for greater transparency by the government. All too often it is informing people of matters of national interest only when it politically suits it. This is not good at all and is putting the administration in bad light.
Under one pretext or another, the government attempts to wriggle out of its obligation to do what it had so strongly promised when it was in Opposition.
Its actions very often give the impression that it continues to think on party lines, blurring (if not altogether eliminating) the very important distinction that ought to exist between party and government.
An issue that deserves to be discussed and analysed with some urgency when Parliament meets again regards the sale of petrol at the pump following the plunge in oil prices.
Consumers in Malta are still not directly benefiting from the sharp drop and, with good reason, many feel they are being cheated.
What exactly is the state of the hedging arrangements in place today?
When will they expire?
Is the government taking the opportunity to buy on the spot market?
It is not enough for the government to say that prices in Malta are lower than those in this or that country or that its policy is aimed at ensuring price stability in fuel prices. Price stability is, of course, important but all the necessary details must be given so that people will be in a position to decide if the right decisions are being taken on their behalf in the wake of this development. Non-transparency gives rise to speculation.
However, since the government does not appear to care much about this, it is up to the Opposition in Parliament to insist on a debate on the matter. As the situation stands, people surely cannot be blamed if they argue that what the government is giving them through the reduction in the energy tariffs, it is taking away through the profit which it is making from the sale of petrol.
If this is not the case, then the government ought to come out with an explanation. As the price of fuel abroad keeps going down, it would need to be convincing if it decides to maintain its current stand.
It would also seem advisable, too, for the government to go for less self-praise and for greater determination than that it is showing today to get on with tackling problems in specific sectors, such as manufacturing industry, transport and the state of the environment. It will also need to check its arrogance and listen more carefully to the people’s concerns.