Editorial • November 16 2003

Rubber stamping, go please

Rubber stamping in political conferences is not abnormal, on the contrary, it is perfectly normal. Following the two party conferences one can see that there has been a shift away from the trend. The Nationalist Party has set up workshops and the MLP is still concerned with putting its house in order.
Yet there is still plenty of room for improvement at the party conferences. For one, the idea that political adversaries could be invited to address the conference would serve as a welcome signal of change that is sadly missed by the public. Additionally, instead of the usual adulation for the leader or the party, it would be healthy to see some constructive self-criticism.
For months on end, the media, this newspaper included, have pointed all their guns at the Labour party. Lest we forget, it is the PN that is in government. Now, all guns must shift to take aim at the Nationalist party.
For years, a million-dollar question has been avoided by all the journalists who may no longer share a bed with PN spin doctors, but surely give the impression that they would willingly do so.
The central issue is the question of the PN party leadership.
No matter what Fenech Adami says, or avoids saying in public, there can be no beating around the bush, the PN will have to have a new leader soon.
The Prime Minister may still have all the energy in the world. Yet if he persists in not realising that his time is up, he may well lead the country and his party into the type of vacuum of power that is so evident when strong leaders suddenly disappear.
Dr Fenech Adami has said he has no intention of leaving for the moment. But the party administration at Stamperija is taking no chances and is making all the arrangements for a pleasant and smooth take-over of anointed leader-in-waiting, Dr Lawrence Gonzi.
The Nationalist party machinery has rallied all its forces in the most blatant of ways to paint Gonzi as the only possible next Prime Minister. Surely, Dr Gonzi, has the right stature, composure, smile and communication abilities for the job.
But does he have all it takes?
What is clear is that most political leaders the world over are eternally unsure when to call it a day.
Fenech Adami’s decision to quit will be made all the more difficult if the number of individuals who decide to stand for the leadership race is high and their failure to become leader contributes to reshaping the Nationalist party post-EFA.
Another glitch may also hinder Fenech Adami’s departure. Namely the arrival of Prof. Guido de Marco who has made it known that he will stand for MEP. It is a move that is being regarded as rather undesirable by the Nationalist machinery, which believes that the President should not even entertain the idea and should rather make way for party candidates.
However politics is a strange animal. And the logic of hanging on to power confirms that in most cases it is ego rather than common sense that rules.