Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1246053
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MAY 2020 NEWS ANALYSIS Joseph Muscat? has to be credited for leaving an economy in such a good shape that it enabled Abela to navi- gate through the storm, offer- ing a generous rescue package without risking bankruptcy. Even the much-derided sale of citizenship scheme came handy in ensuring funds for so- cial investments in these test- ing times. In short, Muscat may feel en- titled to intervene to save his legacy from being destroyed by the pandemic. Murky business deals Yet Muscat's ability to think outside the box often result- ed in the kind of dubious local and international connections which have seriously under- mined Malta's international reputation. In addition, while Muscat is viewed positively by many in business circles, his pro-business mantra alienated environmentalists and social justice activists. For whenever Castille had a finger in the pie, suspicions of impropriety en- sued. These included the AUM debacle, the sale of public hos- pitals to Vitals and the connec- tions to Henley & Partners and SOCAR. Moreover, his electoral strat- egy to co-opt businesspersons has often backfired. A case in point was the resignation of ho- telier MIchael Zammit Tabona from the post of ambassador after comparing Angela Merkel to Hitler. Many would fear that Mus- cat's involvement would in- crease the temptation to kick- start the economy by once again pressing on the accelera- tor in sectors like planning and construction, thus undermin- ing Robert Abela's attempt to strike a balance. A taste of continuity? Muscat's reappearance per- petuates the impression of continuity, and undermines Robert Abela's attempt to dis- tance himself from the Muscat era. For after winning the contest against Chris Fearne on the premise of being the continuity candidate, Abela immediately took steps to distance himself from the Muscat era by sacking Neville Gafà, a close friend of Keith Schembri, from Castille, and former police Commis- sioner Lawrence Cutajar. The reappearance of Muscat coincides with the 're-engage- ment' of Gafà on migration-re- lated matters in what looked a restoration of sorts. In short, it smacks of payback time for the support both Gafà and Muscat gave Abela before winning the leadership contest, even if their support was not welcome. Moreover, despite facing in- ternational disgrace, Muscat's legacy was never questioned within the party and he was even given the hero treatment upon his departure. His return to the public sphere is bound to cause political rip- ples. He remains a larger than life politician who is revered by grassroots and turncoats alike. Muscat fully knows that for Abela to consolidate his posi- tion, he has to take a step back and retreat to monastic silence. Yet Abela may still feel in debt with Muscat for making his election as leader possible. Therefore, he may be willing to pay the price of being over- shadowed by his predecessor. Even the nomenclature cho- sen namely the reference to "the office of Joseph Muscat" – rather than styling it as the opinion of any other Labour MP – carries an institutional flavour, which perpetuates the impression that he remains a powerful force to be reckoned with. The reappearance of Muscat coincides with the 're-engagement' of Gafà on migration-related matters in what looked a restoration of sorts. In short, it smacks of payback time for the support both Gafà and Muscat gave Abela before winning the leadership contest