Last Sunday, the Nationalist Party’s carefully handpicked councillors expressed their camaraderie towards their great leader. After thanking them for their loyalty, Lawrence Gonzi admitted that the situation in the country is far from what Net TV tries to portray.
After 25 years in government, he admitted the PN is failing miserably in ensuring an efficient and client-friendly public service; in guaranteeing a decent standard of living for all; in providing job security; and in fighting corruption. For the umpteenth time, he extended his old promise that he was going to start listening to what the public and stakeholders are saying. In fact Paul Borg Olivier has now been entrusted with more tasks, that is, other than telling ministers to forward taxpayers’ data to his e-mail address. He will now be organising special meetings with Nationalist MPs and stakeholders to make the most of what incumbency can offer.
The million-dollar question is: Can this man be taken seriously? Dr Gonzi is the very same person who had promised Air Malta and Go employees job security; who promised over 5,000 jobs in Smart City and tax cuts for all, and while failing to do all this, rewarded himself and his fellow cabinet members with €500 pay rise. The “man who listens” went so far as voting against the people’s will, clearly expressed in a referendum last May. What’s more, this very same government has recently been labelled as an evil corrupt network by Dr Gonzi’s very own MPs. By far, this is not the kind of prime minister our country deserves.
Following the charade at stamperija on Sunday, the Maltese are still wondering what Dr Gonzi and Co. will come up with next in order to cling to their seats. Our Prime Minister has already wasted two precious months. At a time in which sound fiscal policy decisions need to be taken, our country has received two warnings from the European Commission and a downgrade by Moody’s. Beyond any doubt, this country is a victim of the PM’s inability to take decisions and to take due responsibility for his actions, or rather, lack thereof.