The difference between a Prime Minister and a Party Leader in Malta is one that has, mostly throughout the country’s political history, been one with blurred lines.

One person must wear both hats at the same time, and it is not an easy task to differentiate.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has recently made it a habit of making major announcement on a Sunday interview on ONE TV, rather than addressing the nation and giving journalists from the Independent and State media a chance to ask questions.

This has resulted in a certain degree of controversy. A perfect example was the Prime Minister’s speech last Sunday, announcing that as from Friday the law courts as well as other establishments will reopen after they had been closed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He also announced the date when the airport would reopen, and that on Monday a mini-budget worth millions will be unveiled.

The Prime Minister had done the same thing on Sunday 17 May, where he revealed that hairdressers and restaurants were to reopen the very next week while being interviewed on PL media.

He did this on the PL’s mouthpiece station, not on the National Broadcaster TVM, and did so without having other journalists participate. The Prime Minister does not grasp that his position as Prime Minister and as Party Leader are two different caps, and that during a pandemic, he should be addressing the nation with major policy announcements at all times, not announce first on party media, and then everywhere else.

The Covid-19 pandemic is a major incident. It turned the country, and indeed the world on its head. It is not a normal circumstance. Now politicians and Prime Ministers in Malta do reveal information through the party media, in Malta it is quite common. But at the same time this is not a normal situation. Malta is going through a delicate period, and in such times major policy decisions should not first be announced on party media, as doing so means that questions people have will not be immediately answered. Announcing such major policy measures during a national crisis on party media will also be seen as a political manoeuvre. The Covid-19 pandemic is not something that should be politicised by either party.

In addition, when it comes to Covid-19 measures it would be best for him to have experts by his side, such as those from the health authorities, who can answer questions regarding concerns that the public may have with the announced measure relaxation.  

Opting to make such announcements with his health minister and the Superintendent of Public Health by his side in the first place would dispel concerns that there is disagreement between Abela and them.

Now it is true that the Prime Minister would then hold a press conference on the issues announced in a Sunday interview in the days following, but that just leaves the public with many hanging questions for at least a day.

Another point also needs to be made. There have been situations where stakeholders were not well consulted throughout the whole pandemic. This is something that should change, and there are lessons to be learnt in terms of how to tackle similar situations in the future. Stakeholders must be consulted first, before making major announcements.