The general election is behind us. A new administration is in place and life must go on.

The physiognomy of the newly elected government is drastically different from that which held office under Dr Gonzi in the last legislature. There are eight ministers instead of 12. Former ministers – Louis Galea, Helen D’Amato and Censu Galea – were not elected. Jesmond Mugliett, Louis Deguara, Francis Zammit Dimech and Ninu Zammit, though elected, have been sidelined.

There are six Parliamentary Secretaries supporting the ministerial team, all of them newcomers in the sense that they have no previous Cabinet experience. These will have to move fast to orient themselves with the responsibilities of office.

It is obvious that the Prime Minister had to take stock of the implications of the recent election results.

Those results conveyed unmistakable messages about the performance of certain ministries and about public perceptions

It is clear that behind the façade of Gonzi’s undoubted success story, the new government is burdened with the baggage of its tired predecessor. This has been highlighted and pressed home by media sources supportive of the Nationalist Party. The Times made reference to MEPA and to the “many headaches and heartaches” endured “over the past months”. It declared that “there have been far too many cases that threw bad light on the Authority, and the sooner its workings are reorganised to the satisfaction of the people, the better it would be for the country’s peace of mind” (11 March).

Such plain speaking is sobering. The country needs much more of it.

Arrogance

The election results proved convincingly that, for reasons of arrogance, citizens felt they were cheated of their rights and taxpayers were being burdened and compelled to pay a price for the folly or irresponsibility of insensitive bureaucrats and politicians who failed to take prompt and adequate measures against corruption.

The PN paid as high a price, in terms of votes, as these citizens.

The goings-on at key institutions like the Malta Maritime Authority and the Transport Authority and in some Ministries involving sleaze, disturbed public opinion – but there was no attempt to institute timely, independent judicial investigations, in full daylight, to stop the rot – with particular reference to those who were administratively and politically responsible for personnel involved in corrupt practices There have been repeated public complaints about the way ambassadors and members of government boards and public entities are appointed, without regard to merit or suitability. The emerging system came to be considered in certain quarters to amount to the disenfranchising of half the population.

It is high time that these sensitive issues are sorted out. The best time for such an exercise is the opening phase of a new legislature – before the agenda of the government and Opposition is cluttered up.

New style of government

Dr Gonzi promised to introduce a “new style of government” when he took over from Dr Fenech Adami in 2004. He did not deliver on that promise, as expected.

Dr Gonzi now has a second chance. Will he bite the bullet?

Time will soon tell whether or not he has the will and the ability to give the democratic process in Malta a shot in the arm

A few hours after being sworn in as Prime Minister on 11 March, Dr Gonzi delivered what has been described as a “unity message”. He said he wanted his new government to be the one for everyone, adding, “the country does not have the luxury to be divided” and that “now is the moment for all of us to join forces”.

These are fine words with the potential of change in the history of Maltese politics.

It is said that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Dr Gonzi now has the onus of proving that he means what he says and that he says what he means.

[email protected] general election is behind us. A new administration is in place and life must go on.

The physiognomy of the newly elected government is drastically different from that which held office under Dr Gonzi in the last legislature. There are eight ministers instead of 12. Former ministers – Louis Galea, Helen D’Amato and Censu Galea – were not elected. Jesmond Mugliett, Louis Deguara, Francis Zammit Dimech and Ninu Zammit, though elected, have been sidelined.

There are six Parliamentary Secretaries supporting the ministerial team, all of them newcomers in the sense that they have no previous Cabinet experience. These will have to move fast to orient themselves with the responsibilities of office.

It is obvious that the Prime Minister had to take stock of the implications of the recent election results.

Those results conveyed unmistakable messages about the performance of certain ministries and about public perceptions

It is clear that behind the façade of Gonzi’s undoubted success story, the new government is burdened with the baggage of its tired predecessor. This has been highlighted and pressed home by media sources supportive of the Nationalist Party. The Times made reference to MEPA and to the “many headaches and heartaches” endured “over the past months”. It declared that “there have been far too many cases that threw bad light on the Authority, and the sooner its workings are reorganised to the satisfaction of the people, the better it would be for the country’s peace of mind” (11 March).

Such plain speaking is sobering. The country needs much more of it.

Arrogance

The election results proved convincingly that, for reasons of arrogance, citizens felt they were cheated of their rights and taxpayers were being burdened and compelled to pay a price for the folly or irresponsibility of insensitive bureaucrats and politicians who failed to take prompt and adequate measures against corruption.

The PN paid as high a price, in terms of votes, as these citizens.

The goings-on at key institutions like the Malta Maritime Authority and the Transport Authority and in some Ministries involving sleaze, disturbed public opinion – but there was no attempt to institute timely, independent judicial investigations, in full daylight, to stop the rot – with particular reference to those who were administratively and politically responsible for personnel involved in corrupt practices There have been repeated public complaints about the way ambassadors and members of government boards and public entities are appointed, without regard to merit or suitability. The emerging system came to be considered in certain quarters to amount to the disenfranchising of half the population.

It is high time that these sensitive issues are sorted out. The best time for such an exercise is the opening phase of a new legislature – before the agenda of the government and Opposition is cluttered up.

New style of government

Dr Gonzi promised to introduce a “new style of government” when he took over from Dr Fenech Adami in 2004. He did not deliver on that promise, as expected.

Dr Gonzi now has a second chance. Will he bite the bullet?

Time will soon tell whether or not he has the will and the ability to give the democratic process in Malta a shot in the arm

A few hours after being sworn in as Prime Minister on 11 March, Dr Gonzi delivered what has been described as a “unity message”. He said he wanted his new government to be the one for everyone, adding, “the country does not have the luxury to be divided” and that “now is the moment for all of us to join forces”.

These are fine words with the potential of change in the history of Maltese politics.

It is said that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Dr Gonzi now has the onus of proving that he means what he says and that he says what he means.

[email protected]