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Karl Stagno-Navarra
His faith in the nation is definitely undisputed, but does the nation have faith in him and his government?
What is obvious is that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi last Friday spelt out the Nationalists’ electoral blitzkrieg to face the nation in what may be defined as his most strategic year in office, 2007.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday, the Prime Minister sent out a message to those speculating on a snap-election next year. “We have a full year ahead to spend millions of euros in aid from the EU, and our targets are high,” Gonzi said in a grilling two-hour televised speech in reply to Sant, who was repeatedly branded as “gloomy” (imdejjaq) – the PM’s stab at a witty comeback at Sant’s repeated mockery about Gonzi’s smile.
While reminding a nationwide audience about his pledge to be judged only on delivered facts and not promises, Gonzi appeared prepared and determined not only to dissolve the negative aura spelt out by the opposition on the state of the economy, but also to respond to a disgruntled electorate, from the grassroots Nationalist to the undecided floater.
“Yes I’m smiling because I have good news for the nation, but I don’t deny having difficulties and challenges which I want to face,” he bluntly said, while facing Alfred Sant on the opposition benches who gestured back at Gonzi with his finger to his temple implying the PM had gone mental.
Now with enough experience of public speech, Lawrence Gonzi appeared and sounded well-briefed to project the never-ending PN mantra about a vision for the future. He aimed higher than the grassroots, more concerned about dubious or undecided voters that have increased over the years,
He tactically irritated Alfred Sant several times by either producing charts to poke fun at Labour’s “tenth anniversary” of its short-lived government, twisting the thorn in his side over a retracted devaluation proposal, the claim of yet another U-turn this time on the Euro, and the energy surcharge “surprise” that left many wondering how Sant would actually finance what he has promised to do.
Despite enjoying his sarcastic digs and egged on by his MPs, Gonzi’s effort at getting back at Sant was dampened by the premier himself who seemed intent on retracting his comments every time by remarking, “please take it as a joke” – not one to come across as a ruthless wit.
He clinched a home run at a propitious point in his speech, as he attacked the opposition on the so-called “friends of friends” accusation, when referring to a recent visit to Dubai in which a Labour delegation met the Smart City magnates.
There stepped in an oblivious Charles Mangion, the MP who led the delegation, taking his seat unaware of what had hit him as he watched the Nationalist MPs burst into laughter and giggling, while his opposition colleagues tried to answer back.
As time ran out, Gonzi was less clear in his words, gobbling his sentences, at times hard to understand, but he managed to steer his boat through a relative calm and tranquil environment, often egged on by veteran minister Louis Galea, at present being regarded as one of the most trusted political allies to the Prime Minister.
In parliament Gonzi turned the heat up on the electoral race and reminded his opponent with a cunning remark that he is in control. Facing Sant, Gonzi launched his final assault: “Don’t come to me moaning, don’t paint it all black and say you will save us all. What is this fixation you have to promise us what you will do in the first six months if you are elected to office; is it reminiscent of your past experience to scrape through 22 months?” he jibed.
ksnavarra@mediatoday.com.mt |
