These last weeks have been one of the most turbulent periods in our political history. It is the second time in as many weeks that the President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca felt the need to call for moderation in the way politicians are throwing it at each other. It is not usual that the Head of State overtly appeals for judicious behaviour but I do agree that we are in somewhat of a cross-roads and this is the moment when the reconciliatory role of Her Excellency the President comes in handy. It is a pity that we have come to this.
I have been saying this that I remember very clearly the feeling around the 1980s when one could sense the intense strain in the air. At the time the added negative was that people were using physical violence, something that so far has not been the case. However, the aggression we see on social media and the way we are (mis)managing our political discourse leaves the same effect, namely, hatred, anger, intolerance and irrationality.
The reason why this climate is developing in this way is probably also linked to a personal rivalry that has developed over the years between the two leaders. It is also linked to the fact that on one hand the PN needed to show that it is back on its feet after the 2013 general election drubbing and on the other hand the government has been caught out because of a number of unfitting moves.
The antics right after the election result, starting when Minister Mallia turned up at the prisons and there was this surreal pantomime of prisoners singing ‘Taghna Lkoll’ making a mockery out of our penitentiary system, was not accidental but symptomatic. The government, or some of its members, might have thought that such a credible majority could justify the clowning. Add to this the dappled deal struck with the Premier owners, the proposed development of the University turned Higher Institution, the ‘Gaff’-arena case, the mistiming of the construction of the new power station and the breaking of the ranks by Dr Marlene Farrugia.
All of this is piling up pressure. What I find terribly incongruent is that the government thinks that the sterling work being done in the civil rights sector, tourism, economy, industry, disability, education, sports, health and justice amongst other outweigh the drivel. Wrong! In politics it doesn’t work that way, it’s a bit more complicated. The Panama shenanigan was one event the government could have well done without. What was preposterous is that once it popped up like a zit it needed to be hammered out and treated and not simply bandaged! Once ‘you’ get yourself in an alley it starts getting difficult to pull-back.
And now, where does Messi come into the story?
In all of this I see some Mizzi and Messi parallels.
Likeness 1: ‘Looks like Mizzi is the star player in the Cabinet as Messi is for Barcelona’.
Like Messi, Mizzi didn’t go by the game-plan, got himself in a corner but was still unsubstituted by his coach. Whilst I had stated in the past that Minister Mallia and Parliamentary Secretary Falzon should have offered their resignation as soon as the slipups ensued, their booboos are not comparable to what Mizzi is entwined in and the political ramifications thereafter. It is true that no illegalities have been noted but it is still wrong. If Mizzi can’t see this and do what Minister Bartolo said he would have done (bugger off essentially) I think it is a whopping reason to be sent to the back bench. There are so many PSs and MPs without ministerial duties that can make it to to the fore.
Likeness 2: ‘Mizzi has admitted to accepting the wrong advice on opening an account in Panama and Messi says he got wrong counsel by his dad and messes up with the tax man’.
So little to add here – but they need to know that it is their money and if they don’t have a say with what happens to their resources, estates and all, I really can’t expect them to be taken seriously on other matters when people look up to them all the time.
Likeness 3: ‘Mizzi keeps playing on as a free role, used by his Prime Minister in what he thinks is best and Messi comes out stronger claiming that it is all about footballing skills’.
So many football players and politicians for that matter have done much less and were in less of an obdurate spot but yet they got the flak. Well as a gentleman once said, ‘some animals are more equal than others’!
Even though the 1st of May celebrations were intended as a show of force, the government and the Labour Party might be showing its first cracks.
Even so I still believe that Prime Minister Muscat has it in him to take this country forward. I really trust that what he wanted for Malta prior to the 2013 election, that is, making this nation a European Malta, modern, self-assured, responsive, proactive can still happen. He has the luxury of being in mid-term and so he can rationalise these slip-ups nonetheless a no-decision on Konrad Mizzi was really not a good way of starting ‘part two’ of this legislature if you ask me. To compound all of this The Times of Malta states that MPs are uncomfortable with the PM’s (lack of) decision making on this issue, which doesn’t come as a surprise to me.
To continue with the football metaphor.
I know the PM is an avid Milan supporter (nothing to shout about at the moment pour souls!) but he must have said this a million times whilst following his team; ‘When some President, Coach or Star Player move around with arrogance thinking they are bigger than the club – the only way is out’.
So there you go, I am pretty sure that the way ‘Muscat the Opposition Leader’ attracted so many people to the Movement he can still do that now that he is in government. There are so many people ready to pounce on the opportunity to serve this country and there is no one in my eyes that is irreplaceable, not even if he was the Pope, the Dalai Lama and the American President all in one.
Politics has been turned into a game-plan whilst what we really need is that we focus on social justice and take the right decisions so that people at the bottom of the heap can make their way out of the crap.
A lot of citizens are struggling because life has not been kind to them, poverty is ripe, there are families, children and young people who are struggling. Minister Bartolo, Godfrey Grima, Jason Micallef, Joe Grima, Godfrey Farrugia and Alfred Sant are all coming from different directions telling the PM he has done the wrong ‘no decision’.
I believe it is time to deal with this issue not with Messi gloves but with a boot-out. Taking strength from the loyals who turned to the 1st May meeting can only serve to alienate. Those people in the piazza would vote for their party if you send them to a torture chamber.
There is too much at stake here.
I still believe this country needs and would benefit from Joseph Muscat because he does get things done unlike a couple of others. It would be a pity if all of this is lost - ‘do what you have to do Mr Prime Minister’. .