During this election campaign to elect our representatives to the European Parliament and local councillors in one third of the country, though not directly involved, I still find the time to continue to meet people who hail from all walks of life. One of the main concerns of the families is employment. Those who are involved in an economic activity be it small, medium or in a large enterprise are very much concerned about the local situation. This is very much in contrast to Prime Minister Gonzi who was more concerned about the President’s official photo.

Gonzi needs to act and act fast. This recession will not pass by playing for time and just hoping that the ripple effect of external economies will reach our shores. A number of social partners not to mention the Labour Party, appealed to Gonzi to decide and do something tangible to kick start the economy in this difficult time. But it seems that the political impotence is hindering him from acting. It seems that by lack of action to combat this recession, Gonzi and his government are denying it. By doing this Malta will not find the solution for today’s problems. I go further and add that Gonzi himself is part of the problem.

Gonzi did not propose a stimulus package and instead he is insisting that what was presented in the budget for this year is enough. But even this is lacking and what the government proposed for this year is still on paper. The least Gonzi and his government can do is to start implementing what was promised in the budget presented last year for 2009. This might help a little bit at least. If Gonzi insists on this direction, if it can be called so, from recession we will head into a depression. I sincerely hope that we avoid this since it would be in nobody’s interest. Therefore it is time to act and act fast.

Negative campaigning

Gonzi and his team are more interested in negative campaigning rather than being proactive. Of course this is no news since we experienced this kind of campaigning yet again just less then a year and a half ago. In this campaign for the European Parliament, Gonzi is more concerned to find petty things to criticise the Labour Party rather then talking why a voter should vote for his party. I do understand why he is doing so since GonziPN promised a lot before the last general election but now Gonzi is not delivering what he promised or, even worse, he is doing the opposite.

Even his own candidates are criticising his work in government and lack of results. Employment to the cost of living, the environment, EU funding and health are some of the areas mentioned by his candidates. The way that his candidates are speaking about these subjects is a clear sign that they are also acknowledging, as most of the Maltese people, that Prime Minister Gonzi is failing.

The funny thing is that the PN candidates would like us to believe that by giving them our vote on 6 June things will change. Things will only change by electing a different government with fresh ideas and full of energy to work in the interest of all and not just the selected few.

“San Paolo Evangelizza

i Maltesi”

Recently I had the pleasure of attending the oratorio San Paolo Evangelizza i Maltesi. Composed by the Zejtun-born composer Carlo Diacono, and lyrics penned by Prof. Mgr Giovanni Formosa, this was the first time that the oratorio was performed. An appreciative audience packed St John Co-Cathedral to enjoy the excellent performance. As always, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, under the conduction of Mgr John Galea, was superb as was the Mirabitur Choir. A word of praise also goes to the soloists Rosabelle Bianchi, Connie Frances Zerafa, Joseph Aquilina, Alfred Camilleri and Anthony Montebello.

This oratorio was composed in 1913 – the year when Malta hosted the International Eucharistic Congress. However, due to some misunderstanding it was not performed. Nonetheless, in 1960 parts of this oratorio were performed by Mro Frankie Diacono at the Catholic Institute.

The oratorio was finally performed in toto on Friday, 8 May. Well done to all those concerned.

Karl Fiorini

Karl Fiorini is a Maltese composer who is still studying, however, started composing music just at the age of fifteen years. I had the pleasure to be invited by HE President George Abela to an event of chamber music composed by Karl Fiorini. I take this opportunity to augur Mro Fiorini all the very best since he has a bright future ahead of him. This is another clear sign that in spite of being a small island State the Maltese are capable to reach the skies.

Carmelo Abela is Deputy Speaker and Labour main spokesperson for industry and foreign investment

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