local news

A day in the life of three aspirants

Three personalities with three different agendas, one is handsome, one is a tycoon and the other a no nonsense politician. But the three have something in common they are all upcoming aspirants.

Fabrizio Faniello, Silvio Berlusconi and John Dalli

At the time we put the newspaper to bed, we could not ascertain if the gorgeous, boyish and rather effiminate Maltese singer had reached the top three of the Eurovision with his song Another Summer Night.

But we surely hoped that he did. At least for the thousands of Maltese who continue to believe that the Eurovision is the greatest event on Earth.

But just as Malta was glued to the box, two other stories spilled into the TV salons of most Maltese.

The first makes reference to the man who will lead the Italian government, who this will be exactly we will know tonight or at the latest early tomorrow morning. The odds favour Silvio Berlusconi, the sleek media tycoon who has sailed through the polls by building up an alliance with former Christian Democrats, former fascists and the secessionist party of Umberto Bossi.

Mr Berlusconi has had to suffer the wrath of the media, who have highlighted his conflicts of interests if he does become Presidente del Consiglio, a claim that is repeatedly emphasised by his opponent and the candidate for the Ulivo party, Francesco Rutelli, a former mayor of Rome who loves to drive a Vespa.

But then, the news that left a few people rather intrigued was the frank interview given to The Times by Finance Minister John Dalli,

The article is the talk of town, more so with the front page header: "Dalli interested in PM’s job … when it becomes vacant."

Choosing his words rather carefully, the Qormi born and straight talking finance minister made it very clear that he gives his unconditional support and loyalty to Eddie Fenech Adami. He added that he [Mr Dalli] did not see a vacancy but, and what was very significant, he stated that when the time came he would be there.

He also called on opposition leader Dr Alfed Sant to hold an inquiry into the time when he was at Daewoo, where he had only spent four months and no loans had been taken from Bank of Valletta. He reminded the readers of The Times that the loans from the BOV were given to Daewoo when Dr Sant was premier!

With the interview and people everywhere had, for a moment relegated Fabrizio to second division. Surely after the traditional euphoria with Another Summer Night, the talk of town will definitely return to our nation’s favourite topic: politics, that is.