Last Friday we had an extraordinary parliamentary sitting. Unlike usual sittings, which are attended mostly only by Mr Speaker, members of the House and their staff, this time the Strangers Gallery was full to the brim. His Grace the Archbishop, Ambassadors, Judges and Magistrates as well as some of our spouses accepted the invitation to attend. 32 government members were seated in their respective places. Unfortunately only 19 of the Opposition members made it. Was this due to previously taken unavoidable commitments or was it because of their being unconvinced that our future is in the EU? The guest speaker, viewing the House from the rostrum, must have thought that this was a very strong government with a massive majority.
Those present gathered to hear Josè Manuel Durao Barroso, the President of the European Commission, address the House. After a short introduction by Mr Speaker, Mr Barroso took the rostrum.
Mr Barroso’s speech itself was bolstering for Malta. The Commission had come to accept that Malta is an asset to the European Union. Malta is being viewed as moving in the right direction. Malta has advanced substantially in addressing the local and international agenda in the endeavour to find its proper allocation within the union. Malta’s contributions are well viewed and considered. One could say that Mr Barroso’s comments were concrete, favourable and to the point.
He made a clinical analysis and stated, in no uncertain manner, that Malta had done well and that it was starting to reap results. He also stated that he would be proposing to the European Council that Malta be accepted into the eurozone on 1 January. This meant that our economy is on sound ground and that our situation regarding the country’s finances is stable, credible and sustainable. Our rate of inflation has reduced substantially and the prospects for this country look good.
This crystal clear certificate was received positively by most and was very much appreciated. Malta’s entry into the union is viewed as a success story and the future looks bright. This, together with the financial injection that we are receiving from the union, should see us reaching the levels enjoyed by other countries, which have joined the union years ahead of us, by 2013. The President of the EU Commission repeatedly stated that an EU of 27 countries is much stronger and more of a world economic player than a union of 12 or 15 states.
Finally Mr Barroso addressed the dire need of drawing up positive policies regarding the negative phenomenon of irregular immigration. He insisted that Malta needs to be helped much more than it is being done at present.
Then the Prime Minister spoke.
His speech was on a national level, without delving into party politics. What he said was what the country needed and hoped for irrespective of which party is in government. For Dr Lawrence Gonzi this was not the time or the forum in which political grievances of any nature were to take centre stage.
Dr Gonzi was positive regarding the challenges ahead and his belief that the Maltese nation was ready for the future.
The country’s problems would be collectively addressed and solved. Of course a mention of certain lingering national problems did not go amiss and rightly so, as we believe that one size does not fit all. Nations have particular needs and these must be addressed. The help and assistance for particular countries, more so the countries that have only recently joined the EU, is diverse from what is required by those countries which intrinsically and traditionally already enjoy a more stable economy and have long benefited from EU membership.
Finally the Leader of the Opposition took the floor.
One could not but describe his speech as being as partisan as ever. First and foremost it seems that he has already concluded that the next general elections will be decided by the nation in his party’s favour. He has so decided. In his reply Dr Sant repeatedly addressed Mr Barroso in such a way that implied that the latter would have to deal with him in the not too distant future. Dr Sant referred to himself as being soon at Castille and that if the EU does not deliver, Malta would be constrained to take those unilateral decisions irrespective of the common ‘rules of the game’, conventions and treaties. Does this mean that we can expect a repeat of Mr Mintoff’s threatening politics we had grown accustomed to in the 1970s?
Dr Sant’s flair to be paradoxical was as always present and at its very best. On the one hand he is now stating that Malta would advance in the EU and on the other hand, I understood him to be indicating that there would be a different scenario for Malta the day after the next general elections, which he has decided will be won by his party. At one point one could have wondered whether the words being uttered were those befitting a national occasion, where the common good was the most important for the nation as a whole or whether this was yet another of those Sunday morning party club speeches.
The Opposition Leader spoke of winds of change. Let there be change. May it be in the leadership of his party after the next election. I join the country in auguring well for Dr Sant in his private life. At the same time I believe that I stand with the majority of the electorate who feel in dire need of a new Opposition Leader who criticises positively – who is ready to accept realities and successes that have been achieved. What we need is someone who will criticise our policies, suggesting tangible alternatives which can better the situation and not just mete out negative remarks just for the sake of making such comments.
When Dr Sant’s remarks thankfully ended, we all filtered out for coffee and a breath of fresh air.
Tony Abela is Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister