Interview
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‘You ain’t seen nothin’ yet...’
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat believes the past 100 days went by without a crisis but the Government’s pace has yet to pick up. Although he defends all the controversial appointments, he tells Christian Peregin he is willing to admit mistakes. The...
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‘I am a very black or white person’
In Ann Fenech’s world everything is black or white. She is confident and career-focused but her family comes first. She is happy the divorce referendum passed, but she voted against. Ariadne Massa meets the new president of the Nationalist Party’s...
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‘Time to stop looking back’
New Nationalist leader Simon Busuttil tells Herman Grech he wants to turn the PN into a winning party as soon as possible. You’ve been in the job for two days. What’s going through your head? It is a very big and exciting challenge. I’m enthused...
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Defending anti-fraud agency over Dalli affair
Giovanni Kessler, head of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), has gone from accuser to accused. In a phone interview with Mark Micallef he speaks of his agency’s actions,which led to John Dalli’s resignation as European Commissioner. A leaked...
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‘We must get back to basics’
Nationalist Party leadership contender Mario De Marco stands by his record as Environment Minister and tells Christian Peregin that politicians must choose their battles strategically. What’s your best quality and biggest weakness? I have an...
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‘I would lead by example’
As deputy leader, Simon Busuttil “put loyalty first” and simply stuck to the script. But now it is time to clean out the Nationalist Party stables and use his knowledge of Joseph Muscat against him, he tells Bertrand Borg. What are your best, and...
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‘It’s a storm in a tea cup’
He was given a waiver to continue working as an eye surgeon in breach of the ministerial code of ethics. Parliamentary Secretary Franco Mercieca defends his actions and tells Kurt Sansone it is in his patients’ best interest. When Prime Minister...
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‘Why I don’t want to be an obstacle to free debate’
Nationalist Party leader Lawrence Gonzi mulls his legacy, his health and his future in an interview with Herman Grech. Five weeks after the election defeat, you’ve probably had time to reflect on what led to the 35,000-vote deficit. Was it just a...
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‘I’d be the last person to cook deficit figures’
Barely 24 hours after becoming Finance Minister Edward Scicluna was in Brussels to discuss the Cyprus bailout. A few weeks later he presented a Budget. He speaks to Kurt Sansone about his first month in office. You made it a point to say this was...
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‘I won’t judge those before or after me’
Outgoing Nationalist general secretary Paul Borg Olivier says he worked in silence during an immensely difficult five years for the party. He tells Christian Peregin he would do it all again but believes it is his duty to shoulder responsibility for...
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‘Most of us know what went wrong’
Former minister Francis Zammit Dimech tells Herman Grech he has the experience and drive to make him a contender for the Nationalist Party’s top post. We’re three weeks from your party’s crushing defeat at the polls. Can you name some factors which...
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The most powerful minister of all?
Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia is entrusted with all aspects of national security in the largest ministry of the incoming Government. He tells Christian Peregin his work as a criminal lawyer should not create problems. You used to be a...
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‘Experiments are not worth the risk’
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi tells Herman Grech he is proud to have left a legacy of work and warns about a Labour Party only rich on slogans. In a few words, how would you describe this past legislature? It was difficult but we can serenely say...
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‘Gonzi repeated a lot of the same mistakes’
In a week’s time Joseph Muscat could be the Prime Minister. He talks to Mark Micallef about his election campaign experiences. A week away from election day, how would you describe the past five years? These last four years were characterised by a...
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‘We made a mistake, but I didn’t lie’
Labour leader Joseph Muscat regrets not telling the police about the Safi drug case, but denies that he lied. He tells Christian Peregin he has learnt his lesson and wants to reform party clubs into family centres. In 2009 you received a letter from...
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‘Joseph’s my soul mate’
The Labour leader’s wife Michelle Muscat talks about her commitment to family, how she supports her husband and the challenging future ahead. Interview by Kristina Chetcuti. Michelle Muscat leaves her house at 8am, drops her children off at school...
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‘Lawrence gives me space’
The Prime Minister’s wife Kate Gonzi speaks about affection, her dabbling with politics, and moving on in life. Interview by Kristina Chetcuti Kate Gonzi’s bracelet unclasps at her wrist as we shake hands. She laughs softly and says: “I can’t keep...
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‘Always ahead of time’
Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Micheal Briguglio is confident that voters are finally realising the need for a third party in Parliament. Interview by Matthew Xuereb. Alternattiva has contested each election since 1992 but each time failed to...
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‘It is easy to criticise, harder to accomplish’
Nationalist candidate Ryan Callus thinks politics needs to have more engineers like himself. He tells Christian Peregin he wants to help his party keep changing the country. Profile Name: Ryan CallusAge: 29Profession: EngineerDistrict: 6Residence:...
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Recognising past mistakes
Labour candidate and economist Alex Muscat was courted by the PN. He tells Christian Peregin the Government had wrong financial priorities. Profile Name: Alex MuscatAge: 29Profession: EconomistResidence: MostaDistrict: 11 What is your background? I...
