Konrad Mizzi is one of the most successful politicians in recent history. He was presented as a super candidate and was elected on his first attempt. He did not need to campaign. Perhaps, he tried to adopt Lorry Sant tactics, as he was the sole politician on the Fourth District, who like il-Lorry, went around with a procession of thugs on election day but made sure he got rid of them once he was appointed minister.
Labour’s election campaign was tailor made to suit his political personality and made sure to place him on the forefront of the political arena. This assured him his election to Parliament. Mizzi presented himself always as a winner despite failing in his projects. The Prime Minister tied his political career to the assurance given by Mizzi that the Power Station would be completed two years’ from being elected. This promise did not materialize. Instead of being penalized, he was given instead the Portfolio of Health, thus becoming the sole person to lead a super ministry in this Labour Government.
Lately, the Labour statute has been expressly changed to accommodate Mizzi. To do so, Muscat sent the Deputy Leader to Brussels and at the same time ensured that at least one of the two leaders is young and avoided a repeat of the mishap when, after being elected leader, his preferred candidates for the two deputy posts were not chosen by the Party Delegates. At the same time, as the vacated post was that of the deputy leader for party affairs, this was strictly reserved to non-MP members. To give Konrad Mizzi this position, Muscat had to change the Statute and ensure that he is a sole contestant.
In the past, Labour lambasted Lawrence Gonzi that he was the only candidate in the leadership race after he asked the Nationalist councillors to reconfirm him as leader. Mizzi is now in a similar position. He will be elected uncontested. The reason is clear. All prospective candidates knew that they did not stand a chance because the party leader wants Konrad Mizzi in this post and found the solution by changing the statute and sending Toni Abela to Brussels. But is this healthy for the Labour Party? Is this not sending a message that within Labour, meritocracy and equality are no longer on the fore of its political agenda?
From the Prime Minister’s speeches, it is clear that the individual who was meant to run the Labour Party is failing in his job. Without naming him, the Prime Minister was referring to the CEO, Gino Cauchi. Since Konrad Mizzi presents himself as a man of action, he is perhaps judged to be the best choice at the moment. No doubt Muscat does not want that his party-machine is caught on the wrong foot which is what happened to the PN during the last five years of Gonzi’s term in office. Election time is nearing and two-and-half years are already short for any party to turn the wheel back and gear up for the next election. The Prime Minister thinks that Konrad Mizzi can deliver.
Muscat knows that the Nationalists are rebuilding themselves and the choice of Rosette Thake, with whom I had the opportunity to work when writing the election report, is a determined woman. She knows clearly where she wants to go. On the other hand, in the past two and half years, Labour has lost many of its staff after these were given positions of trust in extremely well-paid jobs with the Government.
The last MT survey shows that Thake is on the right track. Simon Busuttil has the support of 81% of PN voters, while Joseph Muscat is preferred by 76% of PL voters. Muscat cannot afford to leave the Party to its own destiny. In Maltese we say “xegħlitlu bozza ħamra” literally meaning that a red bulb lit up.
Only time will tell whether Konrad Mizzi will be successful or not. But judging from his track record so far, I have my doubts. However, on one point I am completely convinced. Unlike other politicians, if Mizzi does fail, he still has the ability to present himself as a success and shift the blame onto others.
There could be another reason behind Muscat’s support, which is usually mentioned for the wrong reasons. This is Mizzi’s wife. It had been stated that the Government is paying Sai Mizzi thousands of euros per month – which is true – to assuage the separation costs of the couple. I think that the real reason should be sought in the family connections that Sai Mizzi’s father has with the Chinese political party. This is why family history is so important in politics. The world is one village and all human beings behave in the same way; few are the exceptions.
The rest of the Labour candidates can wait. For sure, there will be another post that will be vacated soon. This is the one occupied by Louis Grech. This time, the choice has to come from the Parliamentary Group. Therefore, those MPs who are eyeing this position still stand a chance. I am sure that one of them is Ian Borg. I still remember Fr Peter speaking highly of him and earmarking him as a potential LP leader and Malta’s Prime Minister. I am sure that Fr Peter’s analysis is now shared by insiders of the Labour Party. This explains the timing why certain scandals in Malta concerning Borg were exposed and others, which might affect other potential candidates are kept under wraps until needed, to make it possible for such individuals to obtain the coveted posts.
Muscat wants two young deputy leaders to flank him at the next general election. He has promised a government with females in it but is destined to end up having only males flanking him in his next political campaign. Perhaps, Mizzi will be the person to provide him with the green light and help him unravel this political conundrum.