Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1158119
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 AUGUST 2019 7 NEWS outsmarted? Possible scenarios for a new government Another solution touted by M5S would see the Demo- crats supporting a minority government led by Giuseppe Conte formed exclusively by the M5S. In such a scenario it would be more difficult for Salvini to depict the new govern- ment as a back room deal to secure the return of the Democrats to power after they were trounced in elec- tions in 2017. But this raises the question; what would the democrats gain from such an arrange- ment? 3. A Conte Bis supported by the Democrats This would see a new experi- ment in politics which would depend on the new Prime Min- ister finding common ground between the M5S, the centre left and other left wing parties. Such a coalition would count on a strong majority of 362 out of 630 MPs in the lower cham- ber, which is even more com- fortable than that enjoyed by the present coalition (351). But while the maths looks good, reconciling the agendas of the different components of the alliance may be problem- atic. The advantage would be that of avoiding elections in the im- mediate future which would most likely catapult Salvini to power, giving both parties enough time to implement so- cial policies which makes them more popular with the elector- ate. This would see the ap- pointment of an institu- tional caretaker government which would present the next budget, possibly embark on constitutional tweaks like the reduction of the number of MPs and take Italy to the next election sometime next year. Such a government may count on support of the Democrats, the 5 star move- ment and possibly Forza Ita- lia, the three parties which at a European level had sup- ported the candidacy of Ur- sula Von der Leyen. The ma- jor worry would be that back in opposition Salvini may ride on the crest of populist anger at an unelected gov- ernment, which would lack a cohesive economic and po- litical programme. 1. A short lived technical government till elections take place earlier next year 2. A durable 5 star-Centre Left pact On migration, the return of the centre-left in govern- ment is likely to drive a wedge between Italy and the Visegrad group of nations who oppose any EU agree- ment aimed at the relocation of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean between all member states. Although with the M5S at the helm it is hard to imag- ine a return to the 'agreement' which saw Italy taking all migrants rescued in the vicinity of Malta, Italy will push harder for an agreement between European countries to share responsibility for migrants. While Salvini was more interested in stopping entry to migrants by criminalising rescue missions, the M5S is more inclined to favour the relocation of migrants even if it shares some of Salvini's misgivings on rescue mis- sions. Migration will probably still result in tensions in any new government, especially between those who openly defend NGO rescue missions and regard Libya as a hu- man rights black hole, and those who shun NGOs are favour cooperation with the Libyan coast guard. The implication of a new government for Malta KARL AZZOPARDI FARMERS and fruit vendors have blamed last winter's harsh weather for a shortage in this year's summer fruit supplies. Farmers across Malta have experienced low yields of fruits due to long windy spells and blood rain. Head of MCAST's Centre of Agriculture, Malcolm Borg said summer fruit production depended on the weather in the months lead- ing up to summer. The windy spells in spring and instances of blood rain stripped fruit trees from their blos- soming flowers, while also hindering pollina- tion, Borg explained. Farmers and fruit vendors, we visited at Mġarr and Ta' Qali concurred. A farmer whose produce is mainly fruit, ex- plained how her peach orchard was impacted, as half of her trees were decimated by the heavy rain. "A peach tree doesn't need a lot of water, so when the rain hit us we had to remove nearly half of our trees," she said. Another farmer who also grows peaches, blamed winds and red rains for loosing half his yield. "In April, we had a lot of muddy rain, which killed a lot of our peach blossoms, and we are feeling the effects now," he said. The farmer also explained how windy con- ditions which are a staple of Maltese weather, damage a lot of crops, so farmers have to brace for it throughout the whole year. A fruit vendor at one of Mġarr's most famous fruit shops, explained how farmers from all over the island were impacted by the damage caused by the freak February storm. Apart from peaches, cherries and plums, he stated that grape vines are also expected to have a low yield this year. On the other hand, a farmer who also works as a vendor in Mġarr, said that he expected a juicer batch of fruit this year because the cold weather normally keeps the buds dormant. He also said that he has experienced a short- age in figs and prickly pears. Despite the low yield, all the vendors have stated that the quality of the fruit has not been affected. "I can only tell you what my customers tell me, but this year people have come over and over again, so I guess they are liking what we are selling," she said. Another vendor, who specialises in watermel- on said that the yield in June and July was juicer and taster, as it was left to absorb more natural sugars from the soil. "If you leave it to absorb more natural sugars from the soil, as in any other fruit, the taste is better, but on hotter days, we have to give it more water, which in turn makes the fruit slightly less tasty," he explained. A shopkeeper in Mġarr agreed, stating that local produce has flown off the shelf, with nothing but praise from her customers for this summer's fruit supply. Farmers blame harsh winter weather for summerfruits shortage Last February's freak storm that caused a lot of damage, spells of windy weather and muddy rain hindered blossoms and pollination