The 2018 general election

Time is surely but steadily running out. Despite a series of corruption allegations and other unchecked abuses, Joseph Muscat’s administration is poised for yet another triumph at the polls, come 2018. Serious mistakes and deteriorating environmental policies aside, it looks like the Labour Party’s economic record is all that matters for quite a number of Maltese citizens; therefore Joseph Muscat will have an easy victory and yet another five years of bad governance! Unfortunately, there is no real challenge from the Opposition. And this is bad, very bad for democracy. Why is this so?

Although the Nationalist Party has managed to narrow the gap between the two parties, opinion polls suggest that the distance is yet a bit too far. How can this distance be bridged? In my humble opinion, at this particular moment in time, the PN is still an unelectable party... and for quite a few reasons. There is still time however, for the PN to bring about a formidable change by implementing serious measures and fresh new ideas to revamp the party and turn it into an electable one.

Political analysts have argued that as an MEP, Simon Busuttil was absolutely brilliant, outstanding in fact, but as leader of such a great Party, he seems to be finding it difficult to inject the Party with a dose of highly powerful substance that can lift it up from its dismal showing. What is wrong with Dr Busuttil, apart from his usual confrontational tone when addressing press conferences or criticizing members of government? Is it because of this confrontational attitude that he is losing the votes of so many PN supporters? Is it leadership incompetence? Or is it a bad com- munication strategy? Why for example, is he finding it difficult to speak out as loudly as possible about the disastrous strategy being planned for our environment? Why was there complete silence on his part when the four new gigantic towers were given the green light to proceed with their monstrosity? Has he had enough of environmental issues? Why was his response a rather muted one?

The PN has to organise itself more and even make reshuffles where necessary. It’s good to have new faces on the front bench, but why remove ex min- isters who gave their best when in government? The PN needs to make itself heard; it needs to gather more strength and determination to attack government’s bad policy on environmental issues, as well as the shady deals being signed by this administration with Azerbaijan and other Chinese companies... like it did with the Panama Papers scandal. Simon Busuttil has to find a way to bridge the gap between the PN and the Malta Labour Party – and the sooner the better! Jos Edmond Zarb Birkirkara