As the general election looms closer, every word uttered by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil is heavily scrutinised. But even when just staring, they can still say a lot.
Standing side by side during Freedom Day celebrations, both men, whether consciously or not, sent out very clear messages: neither politician was comfortable in the other’s presence, according to an expert.
“Both are staring into the distance, which is a symbol of the large expanses that separate them politically, ideologically and rhetorically,” communications lecturer Ġorġ Mallia told the Times of Malta.
Dr Mallia also lectures on body language and its significance in public speaking.
The crossing of arms by Dr Muscat could be regarded as an “obstructive movement”, he noted, creating a barrier between himself and those standing close.
“It could be seen as a sort of alienation signal. This is further emphasised by the fact that his eyes are fixated well away from anything that’s happening around him as he concentratedly looks inwards,” Dr Mallia said, pointing to the frown mark between the Prime Minister’s eyebrows.
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Despite the event being one that marked a joyous occasion, there was only a hint of a smile on Dr Muscat’s face and, coupled with stiff shoulders, created a tense presence, Dr Mallia went on.
“The thoughts or occasion are creating a tension in him that might just be an effort at having to be formal. He is definitely not interacting with Dr Busuttil in any way – neither is the Opposition leader interacting with him,” the lecturer said.
Dr Mallia said that Dr Busuttil’s facial expression suggested he was still not present “with all his faculties”.
“Both are looking internally rather than externally. Both are only in each other’s presence in a token, physical presence,” Dr Mallia said.
Talk of tension between the two men has long been the subject of discussion in some circles, many claiming the relationship between them was anything but cordial.
This was recently pointed out also by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca during an interview on Times Talk when she expressed her disappointment at the way the two acted towards each other.
The President said the relationship between Dr Muscat and Dr Busuttil was worse than that between former leaders Dom Mintoff and Eddie Fenech Adami, who were known to embrace widely divergent ideologies.