Editorial 08/09/2002

The Chirac syndrome

It was this year, was it not, that a political tremor shook the whole of France?

It brought together Communists, Socialists, Conservatives, Liberals, Republicans and others. Together they buried their hatchets, joined forces to vote for a pompous French man better known for his unconvincing arguments, his cheek and his dishonesty.

Yet, failing that, they would have landed themselves with a madman by the name of Le Pen who would have sent La Republique française to perdition.

Malta, we are afraid, is not far from this situation. Perception wise, the electorate is faced very much with a Chirac scenario.

In all fairness, Dr Sant is no comparison to Le Pen. Yet, Dr Sant’s rigid stand on Europe is a threat to the future of this country just as Le Pen’s vision was a disaster for La Republique française.

It needs very little prodding to convince anyone that government can shoot itself in the foot consistently, persistently and against all odds.

The appointments at the courts, the foreign CEO’s with inflated salaries, the tendering process, the wrong choice of individuals to run authorities, the apparent absence of management in running the infrastructure of the country, be it roads or electricity, are accompaniments to a menu of disasters.

Worse, the government follows up one public relations disaster with yet another.

Fridays’ reaction to an interview by the Ombudsman Mr Joe Sammut in a newspaper was pathetic and reveals the severity of the crisis. Written in English and in the inimitable style of someone who has made herself out to Malta’ media guru; it confirms how dangerous PR can get if left in the hands of amateurs and individuals with a chip on their shoulder.

The same pen is often applied to shoot down opponents of speculators and developers.

The Government statement hits out at Mr Sammut, labelling his remarks gratuitous and arguing over the use of pronouns.

This is chaos at its best.

The Ombudsman was appointed by the Nationalist government, he was, should anyone ask, Malta’s top civil servant in the days of a Labour government

His appointment was based on the criteria that the man is honest and upright. Now all of a sudden he is a nuisance.

This jungle of crossed wires and confused messages only confirms, that this Government can only win the next election if it proceeds with its plans to take Malta into Europe.

Ironically, it is the European Union that will save the Nationalist Party not sink it at the next election.

There are those who would love to vote for the Labour Party or for Alternattiva Demokratika. Yet, they fear that if Malta fails to get into Europe, this country will only get worse.

Which brings us back to the European Union campaign, Until now it has been perceived as Nationalist turf. It's a fatal misconception. It's derailing deception inadvertently fuelled by the presence of so many Nationalist sympathisers in the ranks of the European campaign and the apparent absence of anyone Labour.

The number of Labourites who support EU accession does exist and is on the increase. Both lobbies are well aware of the fact. You don't need access to their secret polls to know.

The consequences of staying out is what everyone in the European camp should be underlining in the months to come.

Those Eurosceptics with their conflated patriotism, their obsession with autarky and self-determination and their belief that membership will strike us off the map, are the best elements for a successful campaign for Europe.

The old and fossilised against the new and innovative,

If only it was that simple.