Alleluia! The campaign is over, peace reigns and the government is getting back on track. Some old experienced accomplished ministers and some new fresh capable hands all eager to give their all to the benefit of the country.

The 'lions of change' are now purring kittens content that there is little to worry about for the next five years. That is quite a lot in cat years but one never knows since they do enjoy nine lives. That said, they have already used up five since 1987, and that is a lot of cat years.

But getting back to the realities of today and the new government's promises to the electorate, it finds itself under a lot of pressure to perform well. Some may say that it is even more so due to the small margin of their win, however it will be well to note that even before the election took place, the Nationalist Party had already put itself under considerable pressure by presenting a most ambitious electoral programme. It was well-designed, well thought out and addressed almost all the recommendations and expectations of non-government organisations. Not only that, it managed to disarm the AD by proposing an impressive sum of EUR300 million to be spent on environmental projects in the next five years. Indeed the PN became greener than AD since the latter had no specific objectives or costed out proposals that came even near what the PN has in mind.

With respect to economic, social and taxation proposals the PN was way ahead of the wishy-washy proposals by the MLP which consistently changed its position on almost all of its proposals in their attempt to catch up to or surpass the PN’s superior plans.

This PN's success can be safely laid on Dr Lawrence Gonzi's doorstep since he took the bull by the horns and wrestled it to the ground. He outshone the three other leaders, he was by far the more believable, did not hesitate to answer questions, was well prepared and his election machine was well oiled.

The PN came from behind and there were moments when even the most optimist Nazzjonalist had his doubts. My doubts started to diminish when the party held a fundraiser and collected the handsome sum of something like EUR 512,000. That was a feat in itself and proved that the party's popularity was indeed good and improving. That was the beginning of us breathing a little easier and instead of feeling well behind the race, we saw our odds getting more favourable.

Now the distorted Goooonnnnzzzziiiii cry from Birzebbuga sounds so distant, more comical and totally counterproductive and will soon be forgotten but for the record. The 'Viva l-Lejber, Viva l-Lejber' sounds hollow and the DNA issue well and truly settled having been discovered that the 'blue DNA', though different, happens to be a winning one, in fact, a pedigree. The out of tune oo-oe--oo-oe has been replaced with 'Issa l-mument' impeccably delivered and very timely. Oddly enough, the oo-oe-oo-oe however out of tune, was delivered by the person within the MLP who was more in tune on what was going on than his ex-leader ever was.

But the biggest sigh of relief is knowing that the dizzying pace of the electoral campaign is well behind us and not to be restarted for another five years. For us seniors, it is hard to think in terms of five years - it seems so long a time to even think about it. Yet for the young students and the older ones attending University or MCAST, it will be a time to concentrate on their studies and not whether the stipend will still be there next year.

The hard working public will find that it will still be compensated justly for the overtime they work and the mothers returning after an absence will find the incentives to go back on the workforce quite appealing. The environment will also be addressed as never before.

It is most important now that the Prime Minister will deliver on the promise of transparency and that, like before, his government will continue to be a government of all Maltese, be they blue, red, green or whichever other colour.

It is clearly a time when everyone may possibly consider adopting a stray kitten.

Joe Martinelli

London, Ontario

Canada