Prime Minister Robert Abela said that he believes that trying to bring back your political life after it has concluded is “the worst mistake that you can do.”

The Leader of the Labour Party said this as he was speaking in an interview with Lovin Malta’s Tim Diacono, who had asked the Prime Minister if he believes that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s contribution to the PL was a net positive or net negative in light of the recent local council and MEP elections.

Abela’s immediate response to that question was that he is being asked about the past when he is interested in the future. He then continued that the people had given their judgement in those elections, and that he is now looking ahead. “The people want to know about tomorrow, how will tomorrow be better?” Abela remarked.

“Joseph Muscat had a number of years in government during which he gave his contribution. Now the people have taken that faith and given it to me so that I can give my contribution.”

He continued that once the time for his contribution is over, “my job will be to step aside from the scene completely”. He added that he will let those after him do their work in the way that they feel is best for the country.

When asked by Diacono if that is what Muscat is doing, Abela replied that his thoughts are what he himself intends to do.

The topic of conversation shifted to the upcoming PL elections, particularly regarding the posts of Deputy Leader for Party Affairs and Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs, two positions which will both be open for contention as current holders Daniel Micallef and Chris Fearne have both declared that they will not be running for re-election.

First asked about Jason Micallef, CEO of the Valletta Cultural Agency and former General Secretary of PL under Alfred Sant’s leadership, Abela remarked that the party should avoid adopting a siege mentality and that it should focus on increasing its appeal towards middle of the road voters.

When asked if Micallef would appeal to these type of voters, Abela replied that it would be up to the delegates to decide.

Abela was then asked about Claudette Abela Baldacchino, who has said that the post of Deputy Leader for Party Affairs should be occupied by a woman. Abela said that Abela Baldacchino performed “very well” in the recent MEP elections and that she had the courage to speak out on “themes that no one had the courage to speak about” such as reproductive rights.

Having said that, the Prime Minister commented that he would not pass any particular judgement.

On the matter of whether Abela would like to see Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg succeed Fearne and take up the mantle of Deputy Leader of Parliamentary Affairs, the Prime Minister said that Borg’s time has not expired, and referred to him as “one of the best and most prominent Ministers”, adding that Malta’s reputation has “shot up” with him.

Concerning the ongoing situation with Edward Scicluna, the currently suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, Abela said that he would like to make a “small but every important request” to the Courts, which is for Scicluna’s case to be treated efficiently so that there are no extended delays.

Diacono asked Abela issues being faced by the country pertaining to the electrical system.

The Prime Minister began by saying that reality shows how there has been a strong investment in the generation of electricity throughout these past years. He referred to how a move was made from a heavy fuel oil power station to one which functions through natural gas. He added that work around the first interconnector was completed and that the process to establish a second interconnector linked to Sicily is ongoing.

When the discussion shifted to the issue of distribution and power cuts, the Prime Minister said that a process began last year as he recognised that a challenge was ahead, “this challenge reflected itself the past summer, when we had power cuts”. He said that the first phase of investment to address this challenge amounted to €55 million, involving the set-up of 82 kilometres of new cabling systems.

When asked if he experienced any power cuts this summer, Abela answered that he has not. “I was one of the ones that did not,” he said. He continued that the majority of people benefited from the work on the distribution system, but that this does not mean there were people who were not impacted, “and to them, I apologise.”

The Prime Minister said that the work to strengthen the distribution system in some areas was not able to be completed, “I apologise to them sincerely,” he repeated, “I promise them that in the second phase of works, we will continue intensifying the rhythm so those 82 kilometres that were done last year and earlier this year continues being intensified and continues being done”. He said that the works began in the most sensitive areas, which needed immediate repairs and maintenance.

Speaking about the matter of food couriers and Y plates, Abela said that the result of Jobsplus’ labour review into these two particular sectors showed that the market had more workers than what is required.

He remarked that sector operators naturally want to bring in more vehicles and more foreign workers as they only adhere to profits, but that the review shows that the market has “enough, if not more than enough” of these vehicles and workers. He continued that this situation is also impacting Maltese workers who invest in Y plates and get a reduction in their profits.

“The question of foreign workers is one of priority for our people,” the Prime Minister commented. He continued that he does not believe that the services of food couriers or Y plate drivers should be eliminated, but that they need to be controlled according to the needs of the sectors.

“That service will continue being provided in an efficient manner,” he remarked.

On the matter of foreign workers in catering, Abela said that the labour market review did not indicate that there is an excess. He added that a module within the Skills Card program handled by the Institute for Tourism Studies addresses a requirement for basic skills in the Maltese language.