Recently attention has focused on backbenchers and the instability that they could create in the current fragile setting. Yet Malta is suffering much more from a destabilising government and a weak opposition.

It seems that the government of Malta has not realised that we are in the middle of a recession. The main three measures that are supposed to counter the adverse current economic situation are the Valletta project, a power station extension and the new high utility tariffs.

The Valletta Parliament project creates more problems than it solves and has failed to garner public support. The selected power station extension is an expired model and would burden the population with much higher tariffs. The announced hike in utility tariffs tells all about the style of this government. It is taking the population for a ride with rough measures that would have a huge destabilising factor. The intended gains for Enemalta will have a very negative effect on business, and the state revenue will continue to deteriorate.

In view of all this the opposition is just teasing the government. This is a clear indication that it is not yet ready to govern. The Labour team is more focused on changing the party’s emblem than Malta’s economic problems. No doubt, this is the time for backbenchers. They have already spared Malta from ‘undermining’ our Co-Cathedral. Backbenchers are the only ones that could spare Malta of the projected power station extension, the Parliament building and the imminent utility price hike.

Without the outlay for the new Parliament building and with a more environment-friendly power station extension that would save Enemalta millions of euros annually, there would be no need for the utility hike. This would give the economy a much needed break for recovery. Backbenchers should definitely make more use of their powers because they are the only ones that could bring the government back to its senses.

Agnes Debono

Kercem