Joseph Muscat thinks that displaying utter ruthlessness is a sign of strength. His decision to berth a huge LNG tanker in Marsaxlokk Bay, and the cash for citizenship scheme, display utter ruthlessness – a far cry from his pre-electoral pledges of a government that listens.
At no point in time, during the electoral campaign, did Muscat mention adoption by gay couples, the LNG tanker in Marsaxlokk Bay and the cash for citizenship scheme. Muscat kept his intentions under wraps aware that he would not have gained the support he won from the electorate had he made his intentions public.
Muscat displayed utter ruthlessness when he rode roughshod over the Opposition leader by announcing, through a tweet, that he was nominating Karmenu Vella as Malta’s next Europpean Commissioner. He rode roughshod, too, over the Opposition when he nominated Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca for the presidency – without having the decency to consult with Simon Busuttil.
The Prime Minister tries to gives the impression that “he has no time to waste on his political counterpart”, but then he dedicates much of his time to attacking him, at times personally, professionally as well as politically.
Busuttil has come a long way since he took helm of the Nationalist Party. He has grown into the job at a remarkable pace and has, so far, proved to be a thorn in the government’s side. Of course, he still has a long way to go.
The general election result has, so far, proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Nationalist Party providing it with (a long overdue) opportunity to re-invent itself and its internal structures. Busuttil is doing his best – and, so far, seems to be on the right track – although only time will tell.
Muscat would better watch out. Many, including genuine Labour supporters, and Nationalist Party supporters who at the last general election voted Labour for the first time, feel that Muscat needs to tone it down – and stop riding roughshod on major issues.
A report by a refugee organisation, and published by Times of Malta, reveals shocking details of how many migrants are forced to ask Maltese people to hail buses for them or face being left behind by discriminatory drivers. It’s puzzling when a government claiming to be progressive has a Prime Minister whose silence over such a shocking report is deafening.
The Prime Minister, desperately, needs a reality check. For days he inflated expectations about his “good news for families” – encouraging speculation of a mega project, or a substantial investment which would create hundreds of new jobs.
It’s puzzling when a government claiming to be progressive has a Prime Minister whose silence over a report revealing shocking, inhuman treatment of refugees is deafening
On Wednesday morning, the 10th anniversary of Malta’s EU membership (on the same day that he wrote an article in Times of Malta congratulating the Maltese for EU membership which he opposed vociferously) he called the media at Castille only to inform them of a two-cent price decrease for petrol. It was, no doubt, Muscat’s biggest PR gaffe since he was elected Prime Minister.
This PR gaffe is the result of a Prime Minister who is, dangerously, too sure of himself. He has either become complacent, which, I think, is not the case or, as it so seems, thinks that he can bluff his way through no matter what. Perhaps Muscat now believes his own gimmick – which is equally dangerous and disturbing. Politicians, unfortunately, tend to listen only after a drubbing at the polls.
There’s no doubt that at the MEP elections Muscat will seal another Labour victory. It is impossible for the Nationalist Party to overcome the 36,000 vote deficit after only 14 months, but Labour can lose the fourth seat to the Nationalist Party and end up with a tighter margin from the 2013 general election.
Were that to happen, Muscat would remain Prime Minister, and Busuttil Opposition leader. However, the Prime Minister might, hopefully, realise that displaying utter ruthlessness is not a virtue.
Sounds strange, but after just 14 months in office Muscat’s reality check is long overdue. The 24th of May is the moment for this reality check.
Frank Psaila is the presenter of the TV programme Iswed fuq l-Abjad.