Counting our lucky stars
I am sure many are now catching up on the daily chores following the festive season. Sure enough, many will be returning to their place of employment after some time off from work to enjoy some quality time with family members and friends.
info@peopleatwork.com.mt
On return to work, many would share with colleagues some of the precious moments which they enjoyed during the festive season. But undoubtedly, common to all was the countdown of the last ten seconds of the dying year. These are always the most electrifying moments for revellers.
Irrespective of the venue, whether at homes, hotels, pubs, night-clubs or in Valletta, people hugged, kissed and greeted one another Happy New Year once the clock chimed midnight. The traditional Auld Lang Syne filled the air to greet 2017.
The meaning of the New Year’s Eve song Auld Lang Syne, a Scottish folk song, is about old friends who have parted and meet again. To celebrate their long friendship, they share a drink together and reminisce about memories from long ago. The basic message is that we should not forget old friends and should celebrate a reunion with them.
After the short break from the daily politics during the festive season, the political tit-for-tat will return to the national agenda. But 2017 is rather special for, in the first six months, Malta hosts the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is not a privilege but an acquired right. Malta will be leading the Council in very turbulent times. The EU needs to reconnect to and reassure its peoples with an extensive programme of actions, putting the interests of individuals at the very forefront of the decision-making process.
The EU Council is the decisionmaker that, together with the European Parliament, adopts legislation and coordinates EU policies. These processes directly affect the quality of life of all citizens within the EU. Regardless of our size, for the first time, Malta is taking full responsibility to manage this historic task. While keeping our feet on the ground, this demonstrates that size does not matter. Of course we can be compared, due to our geographical size, to the transparent goby (makku), but we certainly know where to put our money. Yes, some are devious and have the cheek to keep a straight face. It is here where good governance and the rule of law, essential instruments to protect people’s standard of living and quality of life, should prevail. Unfortunately, these are lacking and not much is being done to address these serious issues.
But back to the EU Presidency. It is ironic to see Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, flanked by many other formerly anti-EU ministers and aides during the highpowered Presidency of the EU, taking the lead. Dr Muscat fought tooth and nail against Malta joining the EU. But that was yesterday, and it is all water under the bridge. In our daily lives, everything is possible and conversions do happen. Take Paul, who fell in amazement from his horse when Christ appeared to him in the midst of a blinding light while on his way to Damascus. Perhaps our Premier had some sort of revelation and changed his antiEU stand to a pro one. Whether the same conversion has reached the rest of the rank and file within the PL is difficult to deduce.
But while Malta is taking centre stage on the EU platform, in the local political context all political formations will this year seek pole position on the electoral racing-track. Political parties will gradually accelerate the speed throttle to maximize the capabilities of well-tuned political engines which should reach their top speed potential very close to the general election. In the coming twelve months, the leaders of both political parties will strive to regroup their rank and file, iron out any diverging views which often exist in large scale organisations, and concurrently build bridges with special interest groups.
I will touch on the positioning of the two leading political parties not out of disrespect to the other political parties but, as things stand, to oust the PL from office, a concerted effort is necessary. Votes cast in favour of the small political formations would be equal to a vote to the PL.
Thus the PN is the only political party which can seriously challenge the PL in the coming general election. Whether the PN will be able to bridge the wide margin with the PL is yet to be seen. But if the PN is ready to make a collective effort and do away with egocentric interests, then it is doable.
The PL will enjoy the power of incumbency while the PN will have to ensure that its political message is reaching the widest audience possible. What is of interest is that for the first time the coming general election will be fought by two political leaders who have served as MEPs and have acquired substantial experience in conducting politics.
It would be of no benefit to society if, instead of drawing on this experience, the electorate is provided with a parochial political contest in a world which is changing at a very fast pace.
Hopefully we can count on our lucky stars.