I could be wrong, but it seems as if there has been a downgrade in the importance that we used to give to the Mediterranean region  and the need for a special policy in its favour. True, on occasions lip service is still paid to that objective. Also the Maltese presidency of the EU has put Mediterranean policy as a priority.

Yet, if one considers how proposals for future action are being fleshed out and actually implemented, one probably would conclude that in the circumstances prevailing, ideas about organizing policies meant to get the different parts of the region together have lost salience. Especially from a European perspective, it has become more likely to review the Mediterranean within the framework of sectoral initiatives, like immigration, the provision of energy or agricultural trade matters.

An enduring problem which accounts for this development is the divergence that, as I see it, has not decreased at all between political, economic and social institutions across the geographical spread of the region. These have been exacerbated by the serious economic problems experienced in northern Mediterranean countries (Grece, Italy, Spain...) as well as the events that took place after the Arab spring, not least with the collapse of state institutions in Libya.

Is it in our interests to keep Mediterranean policy on the backburner?

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Voting abroad

One finds it difficult to understand why the problem remains unresolved of how to organize the vote of Maltese citizens who live abroad and have the right to take part in elections.

Surely, there is no longer the need for them to come to Malta in order to vote. Methods exist which are not so difficult to implement, by which their vote can be recorded abroad, and not just in embassies. Today, a majority of citizens no longer feels intimidated by the “threat” that their vote could become “public” knowledge.

It is true that the problem arises as to how it can be verified that people living abroad who aspire to vote are observing the constitutional obligation of having resided in Malta. However, this problem does not apply only to people who would be voting from abroad. It applies equally to those who come to Malta to vote. Many abuses have occurred in the past on this point. Still, remedies for this too can and should be found.   

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Slimani

“Sweet Song”, a novel by Leila Slimani, delivers a strong punch. In a mix of flashbacks and chronological record, it follows the story of how a young couple with two young children hires Louise, a nanny, to look after the children while they continue with their professional career.

Slimani is always careful not to clutter her story with too many details and expositions. Rather than being set out in a concrete display, the social and personal complexities of what is happening or failing to happen, tend to be hinted at. For instance Miriam, the mother in the young couple, comes from a Tunisian family established in France. Is the fact that she is not of French origin allowing the lawyer who employs her in his office to exploit her? Such a question is never explicitly put forward.

Louise murders the two kids with whom she was entrusted. What led her to this? Or is it perhaps the wrong question to ask?

“Sweet Song” deservedly won the Goncourt prize for the year 2016.