When a political party wins an election by a wide majority, it is likely that over time it becomes arrogant and goes against principles it fought for in its election campaign. Joseph Muscat’s government lost no time in showing signs of arrogance of power after his party won a large majority in the 2013 election. Only days after taking office, he immediately showed how he planned to operate when he appointed a staunch Labour supporter as head of the civil service, stirring up the first major controversy.

From then on, his government not only swept overboard most of the political commitments his party had made in the election campaign, but began to excel in inflating the party’s ego and downplaying claims of corruption and wrongdoing that engulfed the administration over time. 

A second big election win last year gave the Labour government a free hand, as it were, to ride roughshod in matters that touched key good governance principles, such as full transparency in government transactions and accountability. The government began governing in an almost authoritarian manner, keeping all its cards to its chest. In response to mounting pressure for greater transparency, it only released redacted versions of contracts being held under scrutiny.

Arrogance of power is now manifesting itself in other directions. For example, why should a government be exempted from getting a permit for putting up a billboard advertising public works? More often than not, such billboards contain a heavy dose of political propaganda.

This may appear to be a somewhat trivial matter compared to other burning issues, such as, to quote the latest example, the sheer administrative amateurism in tackling the school transport issue. But it is not as it goes against the principle of fair play. The exemption is highly inappropriate, more so when considered against the zeal being shown in the removal of banners calling for justice in the wake of the brutal murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Arrogance of power has also lately been shown in the carrying out of roadworks at Tal-Balal. Without even bothering to get the necessary permits first, the authorities gave the go-ahead for works to be taken in hand to widen the road between San Ġwann and Naxxar to ease the traffic flow. This was done on the pretext that the works were urgent as they had to be completed before the start of the new scholastic year.

But in acting in this manner the government has only showed that it has no notion of forward planning. Traffic congestion in the area, as indeed in most other major traffic routes all over the island, have not arisen overnight but it has been in evidence for years now. However, the government, apparently feeling untouchable by rules and regulations – possibly by virtue of the huge popular support it enjoys at present – apparently believes it is above the law. 

When the Nationalist Party protested about this, the Labour Party attacked the signatories to the statement rather than going into the merits of the case. It also ignored the fact that, instead of acting above the law, a government ought to lead by example.  Arrogance of power, along with wrongdoing and unaccountability, are set to become lasting legacies of Joseph Muscat’s government unless they are urgently checked.  

This is a Times of Malta print editorial