When governance is corrupted, a civilised country would be playing with fire. An attack on institutions – notably those meant to ensure that a sound system of checks and balances is always in place – and an attempt to stifle freedom of expression would be the spark that sets Rome on fire.

In mid-June last year, this newspaper ran an editorial headed ‘When governance is corrupted’. It ended thus: “Good governance makes specific and clear demands on those running a country. A prime minister corrupts that at his own peril.”

A year later, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has a few serious problems on his plate, most of them of his own doing or the result of his inaction. The buck, of course, stops at his desk and no amount of rhetoric or talk of a tough decision-maker can change that. He has been forced to dismiss, or elbow out, two Cabinet members, only to rehabilitate one and defend the other. Now he is facing the biggest scandal in this legislature: the Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri saga.

Panamagate has dealt a devastating blow to the Prime Minister’s stewardship and credibility. He appears weak, unable, or unwilling, to do what would not only end the controversy but also start repairing the damage done to good governance.

The action Dr Muscat should have taken is, of course, getting rid of both Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri. But he shies away from doing anything of the sort, giving rise to suspicion that they have some hold on him. The truth probably is that he considers Mr Schembri to be indispensable and, so, he cannot sack one and keep the other.

Dr Muscat cannot allow himself to be a prime minister with no clothes. But neither can he play Russian roulette with the country’s governance, which is so dependent on the rule of law, accountability and the upholding of constitutional and other institutions. It is becoming increasingly obvious: that the political party in power wants everyone to do its bidding. Or else…

The independent media is now in the line of fire too. Three years ago, when elected to power, Dr Muscat’s Labour Party strove hard to appear it was willing to give ample space to the press. As time went by and one blunder was followed by an even bigger one, the government started to become restless and less tolerant to criticism. Now, it is evident it has decided it has had enough.

The Prime Minister, his closest aides and some Cabinet members too have become hot under the collar and hit out at ‘unfriendly’ media and journalists. Even the State broadcaster and the Department of Information are used in this ‘campaign’. The dose is getting stronger by the day, even with the help of ‘acolytes’, like the General Workers’ Union’s daily l-Orizzont. The Times of Malta and The Malta Independent regularly end up in that newspaper’s sight. Only last week, l-Orizzont said this in its editorial: “Then, after the next election, it would be the turn of others, like the Times and the Malta Independent, to be bruised (jaqilgħu tkaxkira) so nobody would stand in the people’s path to progress and prosperity.”

This is Old Labour speak. If Dr Muscat does not approve, he should exercise his influence to stop it before it becomes a threat to press freedom and democracy.

There is only one way to brand a political party that corrupts governance and stifles freedom of expression. God forbid this country goes there.