Is it a coincidence that Konrad Mizzi is the only Minister who actually works from Castille, under the watchful eye of the Prime Minister, who is also the Lands Minister?

The two are very close. Another coincidence: practically all Labour deals and contracts involve at least one of these ministers. Often, however, the questionable deals, contracts, negotiations and trips involve both of them at once. They both seem to enjoy secret deals through which the country’s assets are sold.

In this space I have made several observations on the relationship between Muscat and Mizzi, particularly in parliament. Muscat is totally in control of Mizzi. Now this control is going a major step further. Joseph Muscat, as leader of the PL, has chosen Konrad Mizzi as deputy leader for party affairs to replace Toni Abela.

Joseph Muscat is imposing Konrad Mizzi on the Labour Party. The statute has been changed, albeit only 393 delegates (less than half) bothered to vote. Those MPs and Labour officials interested in the post have not only been told (one way or another) to make way for the chosen one but to shower him with praise and show him full support. Konrad is the anointed one.

Naturally, Konrad Mizzi will get the 50%+1 of the votes required to become deputy leader. Those who hailed and praised him, or who simply shut up and vanished, will get their iced bun.

This decision by Muscat simply means that the Prime Minister is making the circle of trust around him even smaller than it already is today. So early in the reign of power and Muscat cannot trust anybody for this job except Konrad Mizzi!

The secretive deals on procuring oil, selling our power station, selling our health system, all have the Joseph Muscat / Konrad Mizzi hallmark. The questionable visits and deals, reek of corruption and collusion. From the notorious Sai Mizzi contract to whatever was negotiated in Azerbaijan.

Remember the times when Konrad Mizzi lost his cool in parliament, probably due to some obvious question regarding his wife and her hefty salary? Whenever Konrad Mizzi lost it in parliament, Joseph Muscat was not there, he was not even on the island. When both gentlemen are in parliament, Muscat controls Mizzi - with just one look.

Here we don’t simply have two politicians who get along really well. This is more of a business partnership. The money behind the deals handled by these two is humungous. Now, with this deputy leader move, theirs is the ultimate gamble.

If this doesn’t work out as planned, they both come tumbling down with a big bang. But they also risk bringing down the government and the Labour Party also.

With the price of oil at 30 dollars, Muscat and Mizzi must be concerned about their foreign alliances. China and Azerbaijan are feeling the brunt. Muscat has made his choice. Konrad Mizzi is not just his strongest ally when it comes to taking political decisions but he will also have to handle the inner party issues.

Grassroots PL activists may not always look positively at the two men, who definitely do not stand for social justice and fairness. Muscat’s is a movement which, with Konrad Mizzi’s help, will constantly move away from the party which once proudly boasted of supporting the workers and the poor. Muscat and Mizzi are all about sales and marketing.

Carnival is over. The masks have been removed. The reality check facing us all is leaving a very bitter taste. Those who wanted change have now been assured that they have been taken for a ride.