The term coined ‘the Covid Prime Minister’ has to do with the fact that he faced the pandemic soon after his election to lead the country. This was his real test.

In the beginning, maybe because he was still getting to grips with the job, he handled the crisis better than he is handling it now. The number of cases are spiralling out of control instead of dwindling. The Prime Minister put the economy first before the public’s general health. This confirms the continuity he promised during his leadership campaign. This, as his predecessor had said many a time that his government is pro-business.

Instead of focusing on important matters regarding how to better people’s lives, better the economy, and provide a stable environment, and with the government riddled with scandal due to the decisions of his predecessor, Covid took over. I don’t want to downplay the pandemic, but had it been handled as it should have, then the Government would have addressed other important issues too such as the increase in poverty and loneliness.

It seems that the Prime Minister gave in to the pressures from the business and tourism lobbies. It is as if he is telling us to live with it, accept it. To live in danger out of choice is one thing, but to live in danger because it is imposed upon us is another argument altogether.

The medics, including his own Deputy who happens also to be the Minister for Health, have advised him of the consequences if certain measures are not taken. They had to resort to industrial action to make the Government listen.

We are living in an uncertain era. Life must go on, work also, as well as the daily routine. But, what about schools? Will they reopen? If they do, what measures will be taken? Will the students, staff, and transport operators be safe?

Consequently, if children stay home, what about the parents or carers?

This is not the first time that Malta has been struck by a global crisis. The difference is how it is tackled. Lest one forgets, let me remind the readers that in 2009 the Gonzi Government faced a global financial crisis. Economies were crippled and certain austerity measures were taken. In Malta it was not the case.

We had a Government that had foresight. A Government that took measures to safeguard the economy and strengthen the economic base for the years that followed. The certificate of the solid economy was given to us be the Finance Minister Edward Scicluna in Parliament during the last legislature, he stated that the economy is strong because our predecessors left a solid base. This is the way issues are tackled!

The way the pandemic is handled is determinant to whether it results into the downfall of the government and his own. People are fed up with the lack of action and that some abide by the rules and some don’t. The Prime Minister’s tenure will be marked by this pandemic. He is handling it badly and this could be due to his inexperience.

 Ivan Bartolo is a Nationalist MP