Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela’s shocking statement uncovers the Nationalists’ masks once more. His dreadful assertion on whether One News journalist Charlon Gouder would need to emigrate should the PN win the forthcoming general election is the last incident, probably not the least, of the PN’s intolerance and arrogance. Dr Abela has little chance to make us believe that it was a mere joke. Curtains down on the PN’s political strategy: political coercion to be put aside to put away those who embrace dissimilar political beliefs from those of the government. Should this behaviour suit the one of a role-model political figure in a democracy; the same democracy which Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi assiduously underscored during his speech on the eve of Independence Day?

Is this political approach a direct successful outcome of the gentle breeze which Dr Gonzi meant with when pronouncing that under his leadership the PN would have embraced a fresh way of doing politics? Thus, it is another anticipation of another PN government of discrimination, which severely punishes those who dare to state facts which contradict the government’s politics, while honouring the very few privileged and compliant ones.

The PN’s way of doing things is constellated by haughtiness, insults and intimidations that indeed own all the traits of a political revenge that, to say the least, should not even be conceivable in a democratic society.

Election time is next and the usual arrogant campaigning, symptomatic of the PN, is here once again. Shall we prepare ourselves once again for the typical final days full of all-out reckless attacks, personal threats and dirty tricks?

Charlene Camilleri

Birkirkara