It is customary for newly elected Prime Ministers and their Cabinet Members, to use their first hundered days in government to give an indication of things to come during their term of office.  They are normally allowed a honeymoon period of one hundred days during which they are expected to take bold steps, carryout major changes and even take controversial decisions thus leaving their mark in the very early stages of the legislature to convey the message that they mean business.  That they are in command.  That the changes they promised to bring about if they are entrusted with the reigns of government will be implemented. Doing otherwise would convey the message of a weak administration.

Last week marked the first hundred days of a Labour Government following the March 9 General Elections.  The honeymoon for Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his team, yours truly included, is over if ever there was one.  There was no running in period because we hit the ground running. Ironically we were criticized for introducing too many changes at a fast pace in the early days the legislature. Not only we are not sorry for this but, we intend to intensify the pace of reform because the country is crying for change following years of neglect, stagnation and insecurity  during the last Nationalist Administration. 

From day one Government announced major changes including a complete overhaul of the top structures of the civil service.  Most of the Permanent Secretaries were replaced. Heads of government corporations and agencies, normally political appointees, were asked to offer their resignation, as is customary following a change of government, in order for the incoming administration to appoint its own people in positions of trust.  Some of these changes turned out to be controversial but were necessary in order for the administration to ensure that the wheels of government do not grind to a halt. 

We were criticized for appointing people in headship positions and on government boards not on the basis of meritocracy. This criticism is totally unfounded.  Several people with Nationalist party tendencies have been appointed on government boards and committees because of their competencies and expertise irrespective of their political allegiance.  One only has to look at the members of the boards of Air Malta, Public Broadcasting Services, Malta Tourism Authority, the Cultural Coordinating Board and especially the National Festivities Committee for proof of this.

But rather than dwelling on these irrelevant issues I would rather focus on the achievements of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his team in the first hundred days in office.  Apart from instilling a new momentum in the country with the many initiatives undertaken, Government has already implemented several of its electoral pledges in various fields. 

Major initiatives that encourage economic growth have been launched including the Global Residence Programme which is meant to kick start the construction industry. Calls for expression of interest for the development of the ex-Marsa shipbuilding and the building of a cruise terminal in Gozo have been published.  Lately, a feasibility study regarding the building of a bridge between Malta and Gozo was also launched.

One of the very first initiatives was the launching of the expression of interest to build a gas-fired power station that will enable the Government to honour its electoral winning pledge of reducing the water and electricity rates. Nineteen companies have shown interest in this venture which was labelled as a non-starter by the Nationalist Party. 

In the educational and employment sectors, a strategy to address illiteracy was launched and over €2 million allocated for scholarships for Masters Degrees and Doctorates.  Over €15 million are being invested in the upgrading and maintenance of schools. 

We introduced new civil liberty rights especially for transexuals. Sixteen year olds have been given the right to vote in Local Council Elections.  We are adopting an open government approach with the holding of public meetings during which members of the public can quiz Cabinet Minsiters on their performance.. 

As far as my Secretariat is concerned, we launched an intensive drive to ensure that no EU funded projects fall behind and that no EU funds are lost.  We set-up a fast-track process to deal with EU-funded tenders.  We have also launched the process for the organisation of the EU Presidency in 2017.  I was recently in Dublin at the invitation of the Irish Presidency in order to gain first hand experience of the challenges involved in the organisation of such an important event.  We are confident that by taking a non-partisan approach we will have a successful presidency that will make all of Malta proud.      

As was to be expected, during this last week, the print media, in particular the weekend editions, dedicated front pages and centre-spreads analysing the first hundred days of the Labour Government. They carried interviews with the Prime Minister who made himself available willingly to talk about his achievements and, in some instances, about his controversial decisions which elicited various comments for and against.  Other newspapers carried several pages of analysis, surveys, interviews and reportage.  Two Sunday editions looked at the good, the bad and the ugly of the first 100 days of the Labour Government. Others highlighted what, in their opinion were the ten best and bad decisions taken by the labour government.

On balance, the overall assessment was positive.  Moreover, as the Prime Minister said in one of his interviews, the best is yet to come. 

Dr. Ian Borg is the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds.