Choices are not always easy, and decisions which impact on our future need a thorough evaluation.  Some decisions may be based on diverse perspectives and assessments.  Others may be based on clinical studies, some on scientific research, while a few choices may have a cynical footing. Other choices are made in the heat of the moment. Without doubt, there may be other perspectives but nonetheless, if we fail to make choices, others will take important decisions in our stead. Crying over spilled milk afterwards is of no consolation.  

Insignificant decisions may include the kind of beer, whisky or wine one prefers. These preferences should not breed any controversy, except perhaps for the connoisseurs.  Similarly, fruit lovers should not feel hot under the collar because they fail to get the mouth-watering pears or peaches and instead get ice-cold melons or grapes after a sumptuous lunch.

But then, a novice responding to vocation should not be misguided or, worse, dissuaded from responding to the call because of petty issues amongst the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans and Jesuits.  While the Benedictines tend to allot more time to community prayer, conversely, orders that are more active, such as the Franciscans, Dominicans, or Jesuits, tend to allot more time to serve the community. Whether a religious community is more active or contemplative, to my mind they all share the same fundamental component: the heart of their life is prayer, and dedication to a life of self-conversion and renunciation for the sanctification of the Church. After all, every religious community in the world recites the same prayers of the Divine Office each day.

But then, there are other choices which we have to address dispassionately and with a clear mind. On 3 June, the electorate is invited, perhaps even encouraged, to participate in a general election called by the Prime Minister on Workers’ Day, well before the five-year term of the legislature had expired.

It is very clear that Dr Muscat was forced to call a snap election when he found himself surrounded by fingers pointing in his direction. The inertia which has crept in office under his watch has allowed serious cases of alleged corruption to go unaddressed and fester.  With growing pressures from all quarters, Dr Muscat made it towards the escape route and called a snap election.  This on its own is a very telling story.

If the economy is doing so well, why on earth has the Prime Minister opted to call an early election? This is not only beyond me, but also beyond many loyal PL supporters.  It could have been wiser and cleaner had the Prime Minister called a general election as he had promised in March of next year.  By then, he could have cut himself and the PL loose of Dr Konrad Mizzi and Mr Keith Schembri. But for some unknown reason, Dr Muscat prefers to keep both gentlemen by his side rather than take the appropriate decision which, after all, was also recommended by senior PL Ministers and the former PL Prime Minister.

 

Once the parting shot was fired, the tug-of-war was on.  The main protagonists of the coming general election are the “Moviment” and the “Forza Nazzjonali”, although it has to be said that the Moviment started to dissipate when the PM took office.  The drive will continue until the very last minute of the electoral campaign in an attempt to harness every vote possible.  These are the two major political forces which have mobilised the largest crowds to their respective manifestations. Both groups have made a long list of far-reaching and well-thought, if costly, electoral promises.

But Dr Muscat made a Freudian slip when concluding the extraordinary general conference which unanimously approved the PL manifesto for the next legislature, if the electorate decides that the PL deserves another term that is.  But it is strikingly clear that Dr Muscat is under a huge load of pressure. Towards the end of his speech during this general conference, he added two words to the PL slogan.

I assume that by now everybody is aware of the slogans of the two protagonists, with that of the PL Moviment claiming that this is “L-Aqwa Zmien ta’ Pajjizna”. To which Dr Muscat added “ghadu gej”. Clearly, Dr Muscat is well aware and convinced that our society deserves a committed administration that ensures an improved quality of life for all. Dr Muscat is conscious of the fact that he has failed in one of the basic principles that the majority of the Maltese hold close to their hearts.   Improved economic figures and improved standards of living cannot overshadow good governance.

And Dr Muscat was right. The best is yet to come.  Only a change in government can bring peace of mind to the people and good governance, and the rule of law will reign once again.   

The polls, surveys and indications will soon be of little use after 3 June.  The electorate will cast its vote, return home and then wait anxiously for the very first signs of which one of the parties was voted in.  Should the Moviment be voted in again, then we will have to face the music. If, on the other hand, the electorate wisely votes in the Forza Nazzjonali, all alleged cases of corruption will be investigated and injustices rectified.   Hopefully, for the sake of our well-being, the electorate will not be taken in by cheap cans of “bully-beef” and other such cheap tricks in exchange for votes.

I trust that “l-aqwa zmien ghadu gej”; however, under the stewardship of Dr Busuttil and not under the scandal-riddled Dr Muscat and his cronies.

 

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