These are not easy times for Maltese democracy and for Dr Joseph Muscat in particular. Ever since the Panama affair involving Dr Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, episodes of other undemocratic behaviour by certain individuals kept the ball rolling, rocking the government and aiming to paralyze it.

But Joseph Muscat is strong, energetic and tough. He is aware that stiff battles are won by pretending to be doing business as usual, by pretending to be calm and unperturbed as if nothing is happening.

Authoritarian leaders, like his friend in Azerbaijan, Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Rodrigo Duerte of the Philippines seem to arouse a strange and powerful admiration in Dr Muscat. Perhaps he sees a reflection of the person he would like to be when, and if, he is elected president of the European Council when Mr Tusk’s presidency ends.

Still, whatever his strengths and weaknesses, Joseph Muscat must change his ways and show more support for democratic values, especially to the rule law, even though he sees himself as head of government as uniquely tough and irreplaceable.

On the other hand, however, the Opposition under a new leadership is still in upside down mode unfortunately, furious, bitter and divisive since losing the last General Election.

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara