Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1093354
17 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MARCH 2019 INTERVIEW importantly, we would also have ensured that there are the neces- sary checks and balances to keep all governments in line, too. In- cluding our own. Having a coali- tion in power, instead of a single party government, would have provided an additional guaran- tee. This is, in fact, why I had no problem joining a coalition, even in view of the PN's past record. We would have been a beacon of hope to that party. Let's face it: we don't come to this with po- litical baggage… Well, 'baggage' comes in different shapes and sizes. You, for instance, were Health Minister in Labour's 2013 administration. It's not like you weren't part of the system you now want to reform. On her part, Marlene Farrugia has a long and… let's just say 'colourful' history in Maltese politics. With both parties, too… It is true that I was part of the Labour administration. So what? I joined the Labour movement because I firmly believed in the call of 'Malta Taghna Lkoll'. I still believe in it, in fact. So when it comes to our ideology – what we believe in – we have remained constant. We haven't changed. Whether I was part of the La- bour movement, or whether I am now in this party… I am still the same person. My own man, and nothing different. But there is one thing we have to remem- ber: any political party is a tool to serve the public interest. It ex- ists so that the common good… the national interest, call it what you will… is safeguarded. That is the only way the quality of life of the individual, the family, and the community at large can improve. So a political party is a tool… nothing more. But what happened? The Labour Party is no longer a representative of Malta's social soul [ruh socjali], as it used to be. Forget it. The PL has become 'pro-business', almost all the way to the other extreme. The Nationalist Party, although still conservative, has not remained where it was, ei- ther: with all its previous ideolo- gies intact. It had its own internal problems, too. And this is why I resigned from Labour in 2017, before the election. As party whip, I had tried everything in my power to change things from the inside. Remember that party whip is quite an influential position. I was, so to speak, the 'manager' of the parliamentary group… although, of course, it still falls under the Prime Min- ister. I was also a Cabinet mem- ber: admittedly not part of the executive, but I would sit at the table at Cabinet meetings, and participate in the discussion. I was also liaison officer between PL and PN. And I was a mem- ber of the party's administrative council. I was everywhere. And I tried to exert an influence, but… [shrugs] I didn't manage. Now, I am trying to influence the de- sirable change that our country needs to fix its broken system… through PD. This is my hope… Yes, but that takes us back to the original question. To be influential, in the way you describe, you actually have to be in Parliament… I am in Parliament… Precisely. You were elected there as part of a coalition that no longer exists. So when the next election comes along – unless there is another coalition, by then – the entire dynamic will be very different. Do you think you can repeat the success of 2017… as a small party, on your own? We will know shortly, in May this year. That's a European election. Not the same thing at all… There are three and a half years to go before the next general election. We are still in the pro- cess of evolving our workings on it. We are now concentrating on the MEP and local council elec- tions. We are taking things step by step. We are a small party; but we have the driving force, the en- ergy, the optimism, to try and fix the broken system. This is why I said we are the 'people's seat'… With all due respect, that is not your call to make. 'The people' have to agree to be represented by you, before you can claim to represent them. That is, in fact, the whole point of an election. On the basis of the number of votes you actually got in 2017… how can you justify your claim to being 'the people's seat'? Look at it this way: we succeed- ed in getting to Parliament. With everything – the entire electoral system – geared up against us. And we did so with the intention to improve the system, to bring about the necessary changes, so that we can at least begin to treat the causes of this chronic disease affecting our country's systems. I'm a doctor, at the end of the day, and this is how I view it. The tribalism infecting our country is a disease. Acute, and chronic. It can be diagnosed, and it can be cured. This is what we, as PD, are trying to fix… Fair enough. Earlier you mentioned MEP elections. Am I right in stating that these elections are crucial for PD? That your performance - in an election unfettered (so to speak) by general election concerns – represents a make- or-break opportunity for your party? Yes. First of all, the opportunity to be in Brussels means that we would be able to punch above our weight. Obviously, we agree with the principles and values of the European Union: the four freedoms of movement, of peo- ple, goods, services and capital. These, to us, are sacrosanct. Shortly we will be issuing our manifesto… it's not published yet, so right now I can only tell you where I, personally, feel that we ought to be going. I believe that, yes, the economy must re- main competitive. But it must also be ethical. It must recognise the social contract. This is im- mensely important to us. Also, we need to strengthen institu- tions. They must become more responsive, more accountable, more transparent. Management of migration must be more co- herent and effective. And one issue I firmly believe PD could contribute to, at EU level, is cli- mate change. And the environ- ment in general. To me, these are the four issues – on top of the basics: respect for rule of law, good governance, etc. – where I see PD making a difference. So yes, these elections are crucial to us. Might I ask what your realistic expectations are? We are always optimistic. What I can say is, we will work to our utmost abilities, all the way until the race is over. And… yes, I believe that we do have a chance of winning a seat. 'mighty' party… One of my own aspirations, as PD leader, is that… at least I will try, as my legacy, to leave a multi- party system at national level PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES BIANCHI