www.l-orizzont.com - It-Tnejn, 10 ta' Mejju, 2010
BĦAL-LUM ġimgħa tħabbar li l-Unjoni Ewropea approvat pakkett ta’ għajnuna finanzjarja lill-Greċja biex tgħinha toħroġ bil-mod il-mod mill-kriżi ekonomika li tinsab fiha. Pakkett ta’ €110 biljun mifrux fuq tliet snin.
Dak li seħħ fit-toroq tal-Greċja mhux biss qabel bħal-lum ġimgħa, imma anke tul il-ġimgħa li għaddiet, juri li dan il-pakkett ma niżel tajjeb xejn mal-poplu Grieg. Anzi, il-poplu Grieg mhux qed jaċċetta l-parti l-oħra tal-pakkett, il-parti li trid tikkumplimenta l-parti finanzjarja “barranija”, il-parti li jrid jagħmel tajjeb għaliha hu b’sagrifiċċji kbar immens.
Huwa għalhekk li jien tal-fehma li “l-istorja Griega għadha tibda”. U għadha tibda mhux biss fil-konfront tal-Greċja, imma wkoll fil-konfront tal-Unjoni Ewropea nnifisha, partikolarment fejn jikkonċerna t-Trattat ta’ Lisbona. Sadanittant, kellu jittieħed daqstant żmien biex tfassal il-pakkett t’għajnuna?
Nittrattawhom punt punt. Il-pakkett ta’ €110 biljun se jissostanzjawh pajjiżi tal-Unjoni Ewropea, taż-Żona Ewro, u l-Fond Monetarju Internazzjonali (IMF), b’tal-ewwel joħorġu €80 biljun u l-IMF €30 biljun.
Pakkett li qiegħed hemm għad-dispożizzjoni tal-Greċja. Dan bil-għan li jkunu kkalmati s-swieq finanzjarji. Mingħajru l-Greċja ma kinitx se ssib min isellifha u jekk issib, l-imgħax ikun għoli ħafna għax ir-riskju huwa għoli ħafna wkoll.
X’inhi n-naħa l-oħra tal-pakkett? Dak li qed jitlob il-pakkett min-naħa tal-Greċja huwa programm ta’ awsteri tà. Awsterità f’livell ta’ sagrifiċċji kbar mill-poplu Grieg li għadu qatt ma kien hemm bħalhom fl-Unjoni Ewropea. Il-poplu Grieg mhux imdorri jagħmel dawn il-forom ta’ sagrifiċċji. Sagrifiċċji li forsi jkunu aċċettati fi stat ta’ gwerra. Imma mhux fi żmien ta’ paċi u aktar u aktar, għax hekk qed jikkmanda ħaddiehor, l-UE u l-IMF.
Imma anke jekk il-poplu Grieg finalment ikollu jaċċetta u jkollu jagħmel is-sagrifiċċji, il-ġudizzju personali tiegħi hu li l-ekonomija Griega se taqa’ f’riċessjoni kbira.
Il-konsegwenza ta’ dan hija li allura mhux se tkun biżżejjed biex tgħin jinġabru t-taxxi biex jirnexxielha toħroġ minn din il-kriżi. Tali ġudizzju huwa rifless ukoll fil-mod li bih qegħdin jaġixxu s-swieq finanzjarji u r-‘rating agencies’. Ma tlumhomx. Aktar u aktar meta jkollhom xamma li flushom mhux se joħduhom lura.
It-tieni punt. Kellu jittieħed daqstant żmien biex l-istituzzjonijiet tal-Unjoni Ewropea, bħalma huma l-Kunsill tal-Ministri, il-Bank Ċentrali Ewropew u l-Kummissjoni nnifisha, jaslu fi ftehim dwar kif u b’kemm għandha tkun mgħejjuna l-Greċja?
Wieħed għandu jżomm f’moħħu li l-aktar li se tikkontribwixxi għal dan il-pakkett t’għajnuna hija l-Ġermanja. Ma rridux ninsew lanqas li mat-twaqqif tal-ewro, l-pajjiżi taż-Żona Ewro kellhom jieqfu milli jkollhom il-munita tagħhom. Hekk għamlet il-Ġermanja. “Tilfet” il-Mark Ġermaniż, munita li kienet fost l-aktar b’saħħithom. Minn dakinhar deher ix-xettiċiżmu Ġermaniż dwar kemm kienu se jkunu fl-istess livelli wħud mill-pajjiżi li riedu jidħlu u daħlu, fiż-Żona Ewro. Il-Ġermaniżi kienu xettiċi għax diversi huma dawk il-pajjiżi Mediterranji li daħlu fiż-Żona Ewro u komplew bl-istess stil ta’ ħajja, fejn jonfqu aktar milli jdaħħlu. Meta dawn il-pajjiżi kienu għal rashom kienu jbenġlu s-sitwazzjoni billi jiżva lutaw il-munita tagħhom, joħolqu ftit inflazzjoni u jmexxu.
Il-Ġermaniżi kienu xettiċi kemm pajjiżi bħal dawn kienu se jkunu kapaċi jiddixxiplinaw lilhom infushom u jżommu l-inflazzjoni baxxa. Twaqqaf il-Patt ta’ Stabilità u Tkabbir li kien immirat li jagħmel dan permezz ta’ miri fir-rigward tad-dejn u tad-defiċits. Però nafu li dan kien dgħajjef fil-konfront ta’ min mar ’l hinn mill-miri.
Imma issa s-sitwazzjoni hi li hi. Membru tal-familja, taż-Żona Ewro, jinsab fl-inkwiet. X’tagħmel? Tħallih jegħreq? Tħalli l-“marda” tinfirex f’pajjiżi membri oħrajn, bħal Spanja, l-Portugall, l-Italja, l-Ingilterra, l-Irlanda? Le, imma lanqas kellu jfisser li qisu ma ġara xejn. Int tiddejjen u jien inħallas.
Kien għalhekk li l-Ġermanja, meqjus il-fatt li se tkun hi li toħroġ l-aktar għall-pakkett ta’ għajnuna, insistiet li jiddaħlu miżuri ta’ awsterità fil-Greċja. Għax jekk le, mhux biss jintilfu l-flus, imma tisfaxxa ż-Żona Ewro. Din hi l-akbar sfida li qatt rat iż-Żona Ewro sa mit-twaqqif tagħha.
It-tielet punt. It-Trattat ta’ Lisbona. Trattat li nafu kemm dam ma twieled. Trattat, li għax kien jaħseb li setgħet tinqala’ sitwazzjoni bħal din, ħaseb għal deterrent. Jispeċifika li huwa projbit li pajjiż membru tal-Unjoni Ewropea, jew l-Unjoni Ewropea, jgħinu pajjiż li jaqa’ fi kriżi. It-Trattat ta’ Lisbona ma riedx li jkun hemm xi forma ta’ garanzija awtomatika u li b’hekk toħloq periklu morali, dak li l-Inglizi jsejħulu ‘moral hazard’.
Imma issa l-ħaġa saret. Il-konsegwenza hija li t-Trattat ta’ Lisbona jrid jiġi revedut. Fil-fatt l-UE dal waqt issejjaħ Konferenza Intergovernattiva biex fost l-oħrajn tara kif ’il quddiem din il-kriżi tal-lum tiġi evitata u jekk meta tinqala’ jkun hemm istituzzjonijiet u proċeduri f’posthom biex tissolva ruħha mingħajr biża’ li tgħerreq magħha liż-Żona Ewro.
Dan se jwassal għal mod ġdid kif iż-Żona Ewro trid tmexxi lilha nnifisha. Hemm min se jipprova t-triq jew sqaq tal-federaliżmu. Min hu l-aktar pragmatiku jfittex toroq oħrajn.
Żgur però li “l-istorja Griega għadha tibda”.
Il-qgħad fl-UE
Sa Marzu li għadda ċ-ċifra tal-qgħad fil-pajjiżi tal-Unjoni Ewropea kienet tammonta għal aktar minn 23 miljun. F’termini perċentwali dan l-ammont jirrifletti 9.6%, l-istess perċentwali tax-xahar ta’ qabel.
Il-varjazzjoni bejn il-pajjiżi membri bl-inqas nies qiegħda u dawk bl-ogħla persentaġġi hija waħda sostanzjali.
Filwaqt li fl-Olanda u l-Awstrija r-rata tal-qgħad hija 4.1% u 4.9% rispettivament, dawk tal-Latvja u Spanja huma 23.3% u 19.1% rispettivament.
Ikomparat mal-istess żmien is-sena l-oħra, kienet il-Ġermanja biss li rat żidiet fin-numru ta’ nies jaħdmu, bil-Gvern joffri sussidji lill-kumpaniji biex titnaqqas il-ġimgħa tax-xogħol.
Il-qgħad fil-Ġermanja niżel minn 7.4% għal 7.3%. Fuq in-naħa l-oħra, il-Latvja rat żieda ta’ tmien punti perċentwali fir-rata tal-qgħad, minn 14.3% għal 22.3%.
Ir-rata tal-inflazzjoni f’April li għadda kienet ta’ 1.5% ikkomparat ma’ 1.4% ix-xahar ta’ qabel. Sadanittant il-Konfederazzjoni tat-Trejdunjins Ewropej (ETUC) hija nkwetata dwar dak li jikkonċerna l-impjiegi għaż-żgħażagħ.
L-ETUC qiegħda tinsisti li l-impjiegi għaż-żgħażagħ għandhom ikunu fin-naħa ta’ fuq tal-prijoritajiet f’kull pjan li jista’ jsir biex tkun irkuprata s-sitwazzjoni fil-pajjiżi tal-UE.
Sodisfazzjon ieħor
Bhal-lum ġimgħa semmejt l-artiklu tiegħi “Sodisfazzjon”. Semmejtu hekk għax kien hemm pass fid-direzzjoni t-tajba wara li l-Enemalta ddeċidiet li ma taqtax id-dawl ta’ wħud mill-familji vulnerabbli li ma jkunux jistgħu jħallsu l-kontijiet tad-dawl u tal-ilma.
Nhar il-Ġimgħa tal-ġimgħa l-oħra kelli “Sodisfazzjon” ieħor. Kont mistieden “niddibatti” ma’ studenti minn diversi skejjel Maltin f’dibattitu Parlamentari fil-Kamra tad-Deputati fl-okkażjoni ta’ Jum l-Ewropa. Fuq “in-naħa tiegħi” kien hemm ukoll Deputati kemm tal-Gvern kif ukoll tal-Oppożizzjoni. It-tema tad-dibattitu mal-istudenti kienet “Is-Sena 2010 – Is-sena Ewropea għall-ġlieda kontra l-faqar u l-esklużjoni soċjali”.
Nistqarr li l-argumenti li ppreżentaw is-sitt studenti parteċipanti kienu argumenti studjati u riċerkati sewwa. Argumenti li jnisslu fik fiduċja u sodisfazzjon għal kontributi bħal dawk li smajna.
Prosit!
17.5.10
Sodisfazzjon
www.l-orizzont.com - It-Tnejn, 3 ta' Mejju, 2010
RAPPORT imxandar fil-ġurnal KullĦadd tal-Ħadd, 25 ta’ April, 2010, intitolat “Mhumiex se jispiċċaw bid-dawl maqtugħ” kien għalija bħal żiffa ħelwa f’ġurnata sħuna tas-sajf Malti. Rapport li nissilli sodisfazzjon, anke jekk dan jista’ jkun akbar.
Sodisfazzjon għax jirrifletti ċaqliq, anke jekk żgħir, favur dawk il-familji vulnerabbli li kienu fil-periklu li jistgħu jispiċċaw mingħajr provvista tal-elettriku għax ma jkunux ħallsu kontijiet pendenti li għandhom mal-Korporazzjoni EneMalta.
Sodisfazzjon għax dawn il-familji huma parti minn dik il-kategorija tal-poplu li fuqha bbażajt Mistoqsija Parlamentari f’Marzu li għadda lill-Kummissjoni Ewropea għax jien tal-fehma li dak li kien qed isir fil-konfront ta’ din il-kategorija ta’ familji jmur kontra Direttiva specifika tal-Unjoni Ewropea, li tipprojbixxi eżattament dan.
Skont ma ħabbar il-ġurnal KullHadd dawk il-pensjonanti li għandhom minn 65 sena ’l fuq mhumiex se jispiċċaw bis-servizz tal-elettriku maqtugħ jekk jaqgħu lura fil-ħlas tal-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma. Barra dan, minn issa ’l quddiem, is-servizz tal-elettriku mhuwiex se jinqata’ f’każ li l-arretrati tal-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma ma jkunux jeċċedu s-somma ta’ €1,000.
Il-qtugħ tas-servizz tal-elettriku, speċjalment lil familji vulnerabbli, familji li jkunu jiddependu għall-għixien tagħhom primarjament mill-benefiċċji soċjali, hija miżura ħarxa u kundannabbli għall-aħħar.
U biex ikompli jitwaddab il-melħ fuq il-ferita, il-qtugħ tas-servizz tal-elettriku jġorr miegħu ħlas ta’ €70 u trid tħallas €70 oħra biex terġa’ tingħata s-servizz.
Tista’ timmaġina xi jfissru €140 għal familja li ma kellhiex dawn il-flus disponibbli għaliha biex taqta’ parti mill-kontijiet pendenti li għandha mal-Korporazzjoni Enemalta.
Matul l-ewwel għaxar xhur tas-sena li għaddiet, u allura qabel ma ddaħħlu t-tariffi l-ġodda tad-dawl u l-ilma, il-Korporazzjoni Enemalta qatgħet is-servizz tad-dawl lil 2,148 familja u lil 459 negozju għax waqgħu lura fil-ħlasijiet tal-kontijiet tagħhom.
Huwa fatt innegabbli li l-pensjonant qed iħoss ħafna dan il-piż. Qed jiżdied in-numru ta’ pensjonanti li qed jispiċċaw “bil-pitazz tad-dejn” u jħallsu ammont kull xahar. Qiegħdin joħduna lura għall-ħamsinijiet meta ħafna familji kien ikollhom “il-pitazz tad-dejn” ma’ tal-merċa.
Din is-sitwazzjoni hija konfermata b’mod uffiċjali. Skont statistika provduta fil-Parlament mill-Ministru tal-Finanzi Tonio Fenech matul is-sena li għaddiet kien hemm 382 pensjonant ta’ ’l fuq minn 61 sena li daħlu fi ftehim ma’ ARMS Ltd biex iħallsu kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma li għandhom pendenti. Ma’ dawn kien hemm 2,727 residenzi oħrajn li daħlu fi ftehim simili.
Iċ-ċifri għall-ewwel tliet xhur u nofs ta’ din is-sena ma tantx jawguraw li s-sitwazzjoni se titjieb. Anzi jindikaw li s-sitwazzjoni se teħżien, għax issa se jkunu qegħdin jitħaddmu t-tariffi l-ġodda, li huma ferm ogħla minn tas-sena l-oħra. Fil-fatt s’issa, f’inqas minn erba’ xhur, diġa’ kien hemm 395 pensjonant li daħlu fi ftehim bħal dan u kien hemm 1,774 residenzi oħrajn.
Huwa minnu li dejjem aħjar milli jispiċċaw mingħajr servizz elettriku. Imma jibqa’ l-fatt li kull erba’ ġimgħat, il-pensjonant irid iwarrab parti mill-pensjoni, parti li tista’ tkun sostanzjali biex ikun assigurat li f’daru jkollu bozza tixgħel, ‘fridge’ fejn iżomm ikel u ħalib, magna tal-ħasil u biex jara ftit televiżjoni.
Ċertament li dan mhux lussu anzi neċessita`.
RAPPORT imxandar fil-ġurnal KullĦadd tal-Ħadd, 25 ta’ April, 2010, intitolat “Mhumiex se jispiċċaw bid-dawl maqtugħ” kien għalija bħal żiffa ħelwa f’ġurnata sħuna tas-sajf Malti. Rapport li nissilli sodisfazzjon, anke jekk dan jista’ jkun akbar.
Sodisfazzjon għax jirrifletti ċaqliq, anke jekk żgħir, favur dawk il-familji vulnerabbli li kienu fil-periklu li jistgħu jispiċċaw mingħajr provvista tal-elettriku għax ma jkunux ħallsu kontijiet pendenti li għandhom mal-Korporazzjoni EneMalta.
Sodisfazzjon għax dawn il-familji huma parti minn dik il-kategorija tal-poplu li fuqha bbażajt Mistoqsija Parlamentari f’Marzu li għadda lill-Kummissjoni Ewropea għax jien tal-fehma li dak li kien qed isir fil-konfront ta’ din il-kategorija ta’ familji jmur kontra Direttiva specifika tal-Unjoni Ewropea, li tipprojbixxi eżattament dan.
Skont ma ħabbar il-ġurnal KullHadd dawk il-pensjonanti li għandhom minn 65 sena ’l fuq mhumiex se jispiċċaw bis-servizz tal-elettriku maqtugħ jekk jaqgħu lura fil-ħlas tal-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma. Barra dan, minn issa ’l quddiem, is-servizz tal-elettriku mhuwiex se jinqata’ f’każ li l-arretrati tal-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma ma jkunux jeċċedu s-somma ta’ €1,000.
Il-qtugħ tas-servizz tal-elettriku, speċjalment lil familji vulnerabbli, familji li jkunu jiddependu għall-għixien tagħhom primarjament mill-benefiċċji soċjali, hija miżura ħarxa u kundannabbli għall-aħħar.
U biex ikompli jitwaddab il-melħ fuq il-ferita, il-qtugħ tas-servizz tal-elettriku jġorr miegħu ħlas ta’ €70 u trid tħallas €70 oħra biex terġa’ tingħata s-servizz.
Tista’ timmaġina xi jfissru €140 għal familja li ma kellhiex dawn il-flus disponibbli għaliha biex taqta’ parti mill-kontijiet pendenti li għandha mal-Korporazzjoni Enemalta.
Matul l-ewwel għaxar xhur tas-sena li għaddiet, u allura qabel ma ddaħħlu t-tariffi l-ġodda tad-dawl u l-ilma, il-Korporazzjoni Enemalta qatgħet is-servizz tad-dawl lil 2,148 familja u lil 459 negozju għax waqgħu lura fil-ħlasijiet tal-kontijiet tagħhom.
Huwa fatt innegabbli li l-pensjonant qed iħoss ħafna dan il-piż. Qed jiżdied in-numru ta’ pensjonanti li qed jispiċċaw “bil-pitazz tad-dejn” u jħallsu ammont kull xahar. Qiegħdin joħduna lura għall-ħamsinijiet meta ħafna familji kien ikollhom “il-pitazz tad-dejn” ma’ tal-merċa.
Din is-sitwazzjoni hija konfermata b’mod uffiċjali. Skont statistika provduta fil-Parlament mill-Ministru tal-Finanzi Tonio Fenech matul is-sena li għaddiet kien hemm 382 pensjonant ta’ ’l fuq minn 61 sena li daħlu fi ftehim ma’ ARMS Ltd biex iħallsu kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma li għandhom pendenti. Ma’ dawn kien hemm 2,727 residenzi oħrajn li daħlu fi ftehim simili.
Iċ-ċifri għall-ewwel tliet xhur u nofs ta’ din is-sena ma tantx jawguraw li s-sitwazzjoni se titjieb. Anzi jindikaw li s-sitwazzjoni se teħżien, għax issa se jkunu qegħdin jitħaddmu t-tariffi l-ġodda, li huma ferm ogħla minn tas-sena l-oħra. Fil-fatt s’issa, f’inqas minn erba’ xhur, diġa’ kien hemm 395 pensjonant li daħlu fi ftehim bħal dan u kien hemm 1,774 residenzi oħrajn.
Huwa minnu li dejjem aħjar milli jispiċċaw mingħajr servizz elettriku. Imma jibqa’ l-fatt li kull erba’ ġimgħat, il-pensjonant irid iwarrab parti mill-pensjoni, parti li tista’ tkun sostanzjali biex ikun assigurat li f’daru jkollu bozza tixgħel, ‘fridge’ fejn iżomm ikel u ħalib, magna tal-ħasil u biex jara ftit televiżjoni.
Ċertament li dan mhux lussu anzi neċessita`.
Role of the opposition
The Times - Tuesday, 20th April 2010
I do not think it is a good sign of our maturity as a nation state that the chances of success at the polls are pinned on one side by the hopes of a significant project such as Mater Dei or the new parliament opening on the eve of the elections, nor on the other side by the hopes that the economy is brought to its knees close to bankruptcy where the suffering of the population is unbearable. It is true that both scenarios do move the core supporters into an emotional frenzy, such that the political parties manage to recruit eager helpers easily in the campaign and ready to man the barricades.
But a close observation of the new upcoming electorate finds that this is not what they want or wish for. They want a government that manages wisely, looks at the long-term benefit of the social and economic fabric of our country and succeeds fairly well for the benefit of our families including their children. On the other hand, they want an opposition which is observant, highly critical of public policy, able to debate intelligently and that shows civility and co-operation when issues of national concern demand unity. Most importantly, it should show enough knowledge on social, economic and environmental issues so it will be looked at as the natural alternative to steer the political helm when the elect-orate so desires.
It does not help the current debate about the role of government and opposition that various labels are being mischievously pinned on both party leaders from each opposing side.
With respect to Lawrence Gonzi as leader of the party in government, I do not think, as some of his critics might like to portray, that the PM is uncaring or that he is not ready to listen or is not approachable.
As a person in politics from the other side of this artificial divide, I would like to think that the government is doing all it can to get to grips with the economic situation, wants to get as much foreign investment as it can lay its hands on and would like Malta to excel.
Of course the opposition's gut feeling is that this government is failing miserably and that many a time there was a better way of going about it rather than the approach taken. It would be unnatural if an opposing party were not to have this feeling. Like any co-pilot, an opposition's fingers are raring to get a grip on the wheel. What is important is that it gives all the necessary assurances that it is not prepared to upset the balance of the plane in flight.
So what should the opposition wish for? I think it should wish that the economy really recovers. It should show that it understands the present situation well, why we are in it, and how we can get out of it. It is up to the government to come forward with the proposals, plans and draft solutions. It is the opposition's role to assess them, give a rigorous critical analysis of them and propose alternatives. The role of the opposition is to oppose, propose and, subject to results at the ballot box, depose. It should demonstrate its ability and knowledge just like a knowledgeable and experienced co-pilot sitting by the side of the captain who is ready to take over without hassles or tussles. The passengers could then put their mind at rest that both pilot and co-pilot know what they are doing, and that any hand-over will indeed be smooth.
The party in opposition must win the next election with conviction, not because the economy is in the worst possible state. As in a relay race, a sprinter should start running well before his team player passes the baton. At this point the opposition should, as in fact it is doing, continue to listen attentively to both experts and laymen alike and show a thorough knowledge of the policy issues. As the time gets nearer its plans must be more fully fleshed out.
Having come to know Joseph Muscat from close quarters, I am more than convinced he harbours no wish of putting any obstacles to the country's development, or that he lets himself fall into a continuous mood of negativity as to Malta's outlook, no matter how dark it might be at the moment. As for the claim that he lacks suggested solutions, my personal opinion is that he has often gone quite far in giving detailed recipes for a way forward. It is his obligation and duty, however, to constantly put forward reasoned criticism of government programmes and attack any misguided economic policy.
The electorate needs a new administration ready to hit the ground running - I think Dr.Muscat's team will be ready to do so.
I do not think it is a good sign of our maturity as a nation state that the chances of success at the polls are pinned on one side by the hopes of a significant project such as Mater Dei or the new parliament opening on the eve of the elections, nor on the other side by the hopes that the economy is brought to its knees close to bankruptcy where the suffering of the population is unbearable. It is true that both scenarios do move the core supporters into an emotional frenzy, such that the political parties manage to recruit eager helpers easily in the campaign and ready to man the barricades.
But a close observation of the new upcoming electorate finds that this is not what they want or wish for. They want a government that manages wisely, looks at the long-term benefit of the social and economic fabric of our country and succeeds fairly well for the benefit of our families including their children. On the other hand, they want an opposition which is observant, highly critical of public policy, able to debate intelligently and that shows civility and co-operation when issues of national concern demand unity. Most importantly, it should show enough knowledge on social, economic and environmental issues so it will be looked at as the natural alternative to steer the political helm when the elect-orate so desires.
It does not help the current debate about the role of government and opposition that various labels are being mischievously pinned on both party leaders from each opposing side.
With respect to Lawrence Gonzi as leader of the party in government, I do not think, as some of his critics might like to portray, that the PM is uncaring or that he is not ready to listen or is not approachable.
As a person in politics from the other side of this artificial divide, I would like to think that the government is doing all it can to get to grips with the economic situation, wants to get as much foreign investment as it can lay its hands on and would like Malta to excel.
Of course the opposition's gut feeling is that this government is failing miserably and that many a time there was a better way of going about it rather than the approach taken. It would be unnatural if an opposing party were not to have this feeling. Like any co-pilot, an opposition's fingers are raring to get a grip on the wheel. What is important is that it gives all the necessary assurances that it is not prepared to upset the balance of the plane in flight.
So what should the opposition wish for? I think it should wish that the economy really recovers. It should show that it understands the present situation well, why we are in it, and how we can get out of it. It is up to the government to come forward with the proposals, plans and draft solutions. It is the opposition's role to assess them, give a rigorous critical analysis of them and propose alternatives. The role of the opposition is to oppose, propose and, subject to results at the ballot box, depose. It should demonstrate its ability and knowledge just like a knowledgeable and experienced co-pilot sitting by the side of the captain who is ready to take over without hassles or tussles. The passengers could then put their mind at rest that both pilot and co-pilot know what they are doing, and that any hand-over will indeed be smooth.
The party in opposition must win the next election with conviction, not because the economy is in the worst possible state. As in a relay race, a sprinter should start running well before his team player passes the baton. At this point the opposition should, as in fact it is doing, continue to listen attentively to both experts and laymen alike and show a thorough knowledge of the policy issues. As the time gets nearer its plans must be more fully fleshed out.
Having come to know Joseph Muscat from close quarters, I am more than convinced he harbours no wish of putting any obstacles to the country's development, or that he lets himself fall into a continuous mood of negativity as to Malta's outlook, no matter how dark it might be at the moment. As for the claim that he lacks suggested solutions, my personal opinion is that he has often gone quite far in giving detailed recipes for a way forward. It is his obligation and duty, however, to constantly put forward reasoned criticism of government programmes and attack any misguided economic policy.
The electorate needs a new administration ready to hit the ground running - I think Dr.Muscat's team will be ready to do so.
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