It's very likely that we'll be hearing more and more about the need for this country to get a better grip on the economy and not just let it grow persistently at impressive rates. One and all say this: the government; the opposition; the business sector, from the most modern to the most antiquated ends of that spectrum; civil society.
It's also very likely that nothing will be done. All those concerned know that the required changes won't be pleasant to experience. They'll make for discomfort, in some cases for pain. Neither the government nor the opposition will be prepared to admit a willingess to accept this. The business sector will remain only interested in change that ensures profit margins do not decline, no matter how reforms are carried out. And civil society will continue to make claims and require action, without considering what the consequences could be because after all, politicians are there to worry about that side of the matter.
In the meantime, the political system from right to left, has lost any ability to mobilise a will to achieve general agreement in favour of tough measures. The techniques of political communication have become totally dependent on how to let people stay carefree - on the so-called feel good factor.
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IN GERMANY
Germany's political leaders soon found their way to overturn what in the past they had claimed was their commitment - removing controls from European frontiers. This was how to achieve a common European policy that would allow citizens to circulate from end to end of Europe without the need for a visa and without having to submit to inspections at frontiers. Which was how the Schengen area came into being.
It is clear that Germany is facing problems caused by irregular migration. It has never - in the past or today - really acted transparently and coherently to tackle this acute problem. German governments just responded to changes in their country's internal politics, and then expected others to accept their decisions, according to the emerging contingencies. That story is now being repeated.
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SUBSIDIES
As far as one can proceed to understand, independent means independent. The so-called independent private schools were set up and run on the premise that parents sending their children to them were prepared to pay what it took, in order not to have their children educated either in public schools or private "Church" schools.
But now, wonder of wonders, the government has decided to subsidize independent schools so they can offer their teachers salaries competitive with those of public schools. It's difficult to imagine a messier piece of nonsense. Apart from the bizarre fact that now public funds are being used to subsidize people who are well off and want to be "independent" (for today who cares any more about social inequality?!), a new recurrent item of expenditure has been created to further compound the paradox of educational spending in this country. Per capita, what Malta spends on education is equal to or superior to that of other European countries but the outcomes are miserable, compared to theirs. With this last incredible decision, little doubt can remain as to why this has been happening.