By April 2017, the country had already faced many scandals by the government of Joseph Muscat.  Each one was placed on a weighing scale and sometimes, just once here and there, the scales actually tipped a little to the side of justice instead of impunity.  Then in April, the full load was placed on one side, with the revelation of the allegations that the owner of the Egrant account in Panama belonged to Michelle Muscat, wife of the Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat.

Suddenly, a counter attack was not just necessary but inevitable and within a short time the country was informed that an early election was to be held in June.  The presumption was that a good win for the labour party would somehow wipe out the allegations and balance the scales again.

The good result did in fact happen and Joseph Muscat’s government was re-elected convincingly. 

But, contrary to what may have been assumed, neither the public nor the press, both local and foreign, have changed their judgement concerning the facts surrounding the case and the persons implicated in the event of the evidence leaving the island.

If anything, the conclusions are now more than ever reinforced and the matter has come full circle.  We are back again at that crucial time of April 2017 and more, and there remains very little that can be done to avoid another full glare on those events and on whoever aided them to happen and is guilty by association, obstruction and cover-up.  In other words, so many are now considered accomplices.

Since then, in spite of even more serious accusations, there has not been a single resignation from PEPs or any police investigations in the same regard.

At this point, other than trying to bring a rushed bill to Parliament on cloning or on selling passports to the deceased, the PM is running out of options on how to distract the people and keep himself distanced and liked. 

It is up to the country, therefore, at this sad and sorry state that we find ourselves in, to demand an immediate election themselves. 

Calling for resignations of the Police Commissioner, of the PEPs, of the Attorney General has been blatantly dismissed and ignored.  The rest of the cabinet of the Prime Minister and the parliamentary group also follow passively and play their part as accomplices in this charade.  Therefore, they are all complicit and all should face the electorate, now and not later.

 

Here in Malta it seems that only the challenge of an election is what counts.  Other than that, the general attitude is conservative and afraid to oppose.  It is likely that the call for an early election would probably not be welcomed by the PN opposition, considering that they even have set to the side the outcome of the European Parliament elections and council elections.  But as drastic means are required to bring about a change they need only focus on one message and that is, change from the immorality and impunity of the current leadership of our country.  And there is also the PD who are capable of driving a change.

Ultimately it is not a matter of timing and whether the opposition is ready or not for an election.  It is the karmic outcome of the deliberate criminal events and serious allegations of corruption over and above the failed rule of law and collapse of what is expected of a normal democratic government in a civilised country, that requires an immediate election to be held.

Another factor that makes going to the polls the most normal thing for Malta is that our youth are only seen at “Lost and Found” parties and Nas Daily’s events.  Political protest does not seem to run in their DNA at all but it does not mean that they do not hold an opinion.  It is just that they keep it for another day, for election day.  Then and only then, are they motivated to cast their vote.

But just as in the Brexit referendum in the UK, the senior vote eclipsed the youth vote, due to the apathy of the latter group, it should not be left to the middle-aged and senior citizens here in Malta and Gozo to carry this current burden alone.  That result had serious implications for the youth of the UK who were not expecting the Leave to win.  But we do not expect to see any protests coming from students and millennials.

The division between the perception of business as usual and utter anarchy grows daily, if not by the hour.  There are those who are running scared and those who try to dismiss the elephant in the room with empty rhetoric. 

Above all else, we are all responsible in serving the truth and not leaving any stone unturned in bringing Daphne’s killers to justice.  We are also a nation and a people, small but courageous.  Where has that courage gone?  Aren’t we sick of ourselves in allowing such crimes, lies and corruption to condition our values? 

If no-one is going to take proper responsibility in admitting wrong choices and poor judgement, then, we, the people have to lead the way again.  This time the Prime Minister can see that using an election to white-wash the laundry does not work.  Hopefully, the people see it too and use their courage and spirit to make the right judgement.

Soon, another delegation from the EU will return.  The Daphne Project reveals its secrets.  Our country’s name is associated with the worst of crimes and with other shady countries.  Persons of importance bring shame and embarrassment on the Maltese.  Our public broadcasting is not going to inform its audience about any of this.  The reality is becoming a puerile piece of theatre.  If the sense of indignity was properly felt and real freedom of speech was allowed, by now Malta would have been in a different place and Daphne would still be alive.

Think of Malta.  Save Malta.  Let’s do normal again.