The crisis started in a neighbouring country, Tunisia, and then continued in Egypt and other countries as well. All of us wondered, with interest and trepidation, which country would be the next.

The fear that the Libyan people were going to follow suit was there and, as we all know, it happened. But, unlike in other countries, the Libyan leader is still holding tight (at least until the time that I am writing this article). I mentioned the word fear not because I am against the actions taken by the Libyan people – of course, this is an internal matter that affects the Libyan population – but because it was clear from the very outset that things could be different in Libya. And in fact things are different in Libya. While it took a couple of days for the regimes in other countries to surrender, in Libya the story is different.

It is also different in Libya because we Maltese have vested interests there. Not only is Libya closer to us – and I do not mean just geographically – but the investments that Maltese companies have are also a major concern for us. Apart from this, there are a number of Maltese who work in Libya and earn a living in this neighbouring country. When all this will end is the million-dollar question, because, as things stand today, it is not at all clear. What will happen afterwards is another question which it is too early to answer.

In all this turbulence which is happening very close to us in the Mediterranean region, the words spoken by Prime Minister Mintoff in Helsinki in 1975 are relevant today, as they were in those days. There is no peace, security and stability in Europe unless there is peace and security in the Mediterranean. This was, in brief, the main message that tiny Malta, through its then Prime Minister, conveyed in that Helsinki conference. I find it strange that after 36 years there are nations that do not understand this concept. Admittedly, they are distant from the region. However, it stands to reason that what happens next door has a direct or an indirect impact all over. I am talking from first-hand experience when discussing this issue with other fellow European MPs.

I think that in the European Union Malta still needs to work hard to convince other member states that stability in the Mediterranean region is crucial for Europe. Even if this uprising had not taken place, until some time ago we also had a massive influx of immigrants, which is now becoming an issue once again.

The ripple effect of this instability is already being felt. This is so because the Maltese government has announced rises in the cost of fuel. However, what I cannot understand is that only a week or so after this uprising, higher tariffs were announced immediately. It is like that in Malta: we buy fuel every day and not in advance.

Of course, I do understand that this is a very good excuse for the government, and the Maltese people who are following closely what is happening around us will accept this excuse from the government. I believe that this was the thinking of the Gonzi administration to try and collect more money from taxpayers. Surely this money will be spent in the run-up to the election to try and convince disgruntled people to once again vote for GonziPN.

However, a country should not be run like that. This is causing harm to our economy and even more to our families. Yes, our families, especially at this particular time, when families need support and not more hardships. Also, I find it very strange that, with all this going on around us, Parliament is discussing the issue of divorce or rather the motion to go for a referendum on divorce. But this issue, which is important as well, was on the Parliamentary agenda, and the show must go on, as they say.

Finally I do hope that this political crisis will end in a positive way as soon as possible. It is already difficult to live with an economic and financial crisis, and therefore there is no need to add a political crisis. In this political crisis, lives are being sacrificed to the cry for democracy. Let us all hope that common sense will prevail and the matter will be settled with no more bloodshed.

Carmelo Abela MP is Labour’s Main Spokesperson for Social Policy