We all thought it a bit odd when the PM wanted to put off elections for the local councils saying that the people had election fatigue. Given that the percentage of voters is generally high and we are in a democracy , that did not seem like a really valid

We know, from the way that there is never any reaction to an emotive issue from Muscat, that he could not have really been thinking about the electorate when he said they would have election fatigue because he does not identify with what people feel, their personal opinions and emotional understanding of a particular incident or subject. We have seen this in the way he delayed, for so long, taking action on Manuel Mallia's case, on Michael Falzon/Gaffarena, on Identity Malta and most recently on Debono Grech's outrageous behaviour in Parliament. He simply does not read the sentiment. But he does know where he wants to be.

So, perhaps, the logic behind the decision is now becoming clear, as recently we have been bombarded by what, for all intents and purposes, could be an election campaign by Joseph Muscat for Joseph Muscat. Perhaps seeing Malta Tagħna L koll for the sham that it was, he now sees the need to consolidate his position and get a new endorsement as Prime Minister and stamping his own rule. Insecurity nags. He may also be tiring of the party ties riddled with corruption. All stops have been pulled. This has been a one-horse race without any spending rules or limits on sponsorships and state-funded donations.

To this effect, we have seen the new design at Castille place, the lighting up of the façade like a slot machine, the six-tonne monument, €250,000 for the Africa Fund, the €50,000 spent on the glitzy bags for the CHOGM guests, speeches in Maltese, €100,000 for the Commonwealth Small Nations organisation, suspension of Schengen and armed soldiers in the street as though time had been rolled back to the pre-EU, pre-Fenech Adami days. As with past labour-time elections, streets were closed off and security was tight. This election was about the salesman becoming a statesman.

He needed people to be focused on him and not on any other candidate, whether that would be the next village mayor, impertinent MP or the next board. But in his mind, he still needed to run against someone, so he focused on Simon Busuttil and called him bitter, meaning a sore loser. Salesman against statesman. The late attempt on his part to show reconciliation by blaming the Opposition, and in the case of Helena Dalli pointing the finger at Marlene Farrugia, are nothing but a smokescreen.

The past weeks have been about selling Joseph Muscat to the red supporters again. All the ostentatious stagings here, there and everywhere, with the backing of Phyllis Muscat as his campaign manager, meant he was able to show himself as the heir to Mintoff, the one who will re-write the Commonwealth, re-set the relationship with the British Monarchy and take Malta away from under the EU (like David) bosses and onto a one-party country. Viva l-labour u l-leader.

The timing of Dr Marlene Farrugia's resignation could not have come at a worse time for him. At the peak of his 'campaign', she comes in and steals the lime-light, with Joe Debono Grech doing even worse and making a heroine out of her and a spectacle out of himself. Had he asked Anglu Farrugia to clear up the mess and make sure to deliver the right message, it would have meant placing Dr Farrugia ahead of his campaign. So the Speaker had to read between the lines and try to keep all parties happy, the way he was taught. The result was status quo.

Dr Muscat will hang on tight-lipped until the CHOGM is over, then he will step out as the new leader and begin to run the show on his own terms. Once the held-back enquiries and reports are made public, in my view, we can expect to see a subtle side-lining of his Super One crew, the Hon Michael Falzon shown the door, Dr Marlene Farrugia given a high position, possibly giving up the appeal over the two seats with Debono Grech thereby being sent to Siberia and maybe the Hon Joe Mizzi replacing Vella Bonnici at Identity Malta. Phyllis is taken care of and will go to the UK as High Commissioner and can keep him up to date with all the gossip coming out of Buckingham Palace and the latest intentions of David Cameron.

I expect he will also change his car.

The next years leading up to the election will continue to be dominated by unrelenting attacks on Simon Busuttil, the Deputy Leaders and Opposition, who will keep returning the volleys from across the bench. If Muscat really wants to not be so rattled in Parliament, he should start from his own bench. Even as the amendment to the Opposition's motion on the suspension of Debono Grech was underway, banging on desks accompanied his re-entrance and exit from the hall - theatrics and antics of days gone by. Another version of Joe Mizzi entering the hall in his scruffy T-shirt. As for what is done for the country, more spending on useless and vain projects - there isn't a Meeting or Organisation that he does not jump to in his desire to market himself politically - high-rise buildings towering over the horizon, Airmalta privatisation, re-enforcement of the positions of trust, stifling of free speech and the media, and some new investment from China or Azerbaijan, while selling more passports to Russians fleeing war whenever cash is needed for a billboard or a tent event or for the probusiness movement.

For those still living in Malta at election time, there will indeed be real fatigue but it will be a fatigue of one-man elections, meetings and forums more than anything. So, maybe, Dr Muscat may think it in the best interest of the people to give them a rest and postpone for another couple of years. The PN will find it hard to hold on financially and disillusion will set in. People will resign themselves to another Labour win and fulfil their own prophecy. Looking back, Joseph Muscat will say, "Istra, those €50,000 crystal clutch bags were really 'wertit'."

 

Rachel Borg is an independent columnist based in the tourism industry