Substitute Cottonera with Valletta and you will find the same patterns of an evolving drama heading towards a showdown with the slight difference that the PN is now in government.
Like in 1998 we have a fresh government less than 20 months in office with a one seat majority. The utility bills are now much higher than the ones announced in early 1998. Valletta, unlike Cottonera, does not only concern an old renegade former Prime Minister. The whole project is of much higher sensitivity. The new plan for its entrance has been the centre of a long controversy for a whole nation 20 years ago and it is not going to be different this time over even though the same renowned architect has acknowledged that he might have learned from the previous endeavour.
The present PM might be different from the one in 1998 but the re-launch of the Valletta project stood from the very beginning under the co-patronage of another minister, well known for his digging-in tactics. Like in 1998 there is a great possibility of a division in Parliament on this project. The Opposition will surely not relinquish this opportunity. Why should it? The wisdom of going ahead with such a sensitive project with a one-seat majority makes it even more questionable. Given the existing weak cohesion within the PN structures, one could easily imagine a dissenting backbencher who does not endorse integral parts of the plan.
The Prime Minister started his political career as Speaker of Parliament. He had a good showing then. Now, his term in office could be cut short with the new Parliament project. In forging ahead with having Parliament at the entrance of Valletta, no matter how transparent the plan, the Prime Minister is tying this project like the biblical grinding stone to the neck of his own political career. His successor in waiting had a very good showing at the EP elections. Only one person could change the outcome of this plot before it reaches a point of no return. Otherwise everything seems to be set for a self destructing repeat of 1998.
Agnes Debono
Kercem