Surprise, surprise, surprise! Finally, our young and charismatic prime minister has decided against the advice of Dr Alfred Sant and that of Professor Scicluna and in favour of his own downfall!

Just a mere few weeks after Joseph Muscat was swept to power in grand style and with overwhelming support, he confronted a mountain of criticism for purchasing the once renowned Cafe Premier. Then came the Australia Hall, the forced resignations of Manuel Mallia and Michael Falzon over the Gaffarena scandal, and some weeks ago the volcanic eruption of the Panama Papers which shocked the world.

One of Muscat’s top ministers, a hard-working chap by the name of Konrad Mizzi, together with Keith Schembri, a key ally of Dr Muscat, were mentioned in these extraordinary details circulating across the globe, the so-called Panama Papers. Obviously, Dr Muscat was subjected to intense pressure to act, to kick out from his office these two gentlemen; but Joseph Muscat was adamant in his decision to keep them in his office.

The Leader of the Opposition insisted with Dr Muscat to lessen the political storm prevailing in the country because of these revelations. He argued with Dr Muscat that this certainly was not the way forward because in these Papers there is evidence to suggest that Konrad and Keith had made a serious blunder by opening an off-shore account while serving in such esteemed positions in government.

As the debate over the Panama Papers and Joseph Muscat’s strategy, or lack of it, intensified, there is now increasing scepticism about his latest Cabinet reshuffle in which Dr Mizzi remained a Minister and still in charge of Energy matters. The inconvenient truth is that Joseph Muscat’s increasingly failed attempts to restore trust in his government may well be far more damaging to his credibility than he thinks.

It is very dangerous for Dr Muscat to disappoint the Maltese electorate which swept him to power in 2013 in such a colossal way because they trusted him. He has been dragging his feet for far too long, hoping against hope to gain time and keep the ‘business as usual’ strategy, at least until the next crisis. It is absolute madness to keep on holding the whole country to ransom for political stubbornness. Malta should be looking at a better future, and less at the political saga of Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri.

 

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara