Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1284320
Ivan Bartolo Ivan Bartolo is a Member of Parliament for the Nationalist Party 10 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 2 SEPTEMBER 2020 OPINION THE term 'the COVID Prime Minister' is used to refer to Prime Minister Robert Abela due to the fact that he faced the pandemic soon after being elec- tion to lead the country. And this was his real test. In the beginning, maybe because he was still getting to grips with the job, he handled the crisis bet- ter than he is handling it now. The number of cases are spi- ralling out of control instead of dwindling. The Prime Minister put the economy first before the general health of the country's cit- izens. This confirms the continuity he promised during the leadership campaign: like his predecessor, Abela's government too is, first and foremost, pro-business. Instead of focusing on impor- tant matters such as how to bet- ter people's lives, strengthen the economy and provide stability, the government remains focused on its own internal turmoil, riddled by scandals that tainted the work of his predecessor. COVID then took over. I don't want to downplay the pandem- ic but had it been handled as it should have then the Government would have addressed other im- portant issues too, such as the in- crease in poverty and solitude. It seems the Prime Minister gave in to the pressures from the busi- ness and tourism lobbies. It is as if he is telling us "live with it, accept it". To live in danger out of choice is one thing but to live in danger because it is imposed upon us is another argument altogether. The medics, including Abela's own Deputy who happens also to be the Minister for Health, have advised him of the consequences if certain measures are not taken. Doctors and nurses had to resort to industrial action to make the Government listen. We are living in an uncertain era. Yes, life must go on, work also as well as the daily routine. However, what about schools? Will they reopen? If they do, what measures will be taken? Will the students, staff, and bus and van drivers be safe? Consequently, if children stay home, what about the parents or carers? This is not the first time that Malta has been struck by a global crisis. The difference is how it is tackled. Lest one forgets, let me rem- ined the readers that in 2009 the Gonzi Government faced a global financial crisis. Economies were crippled and desperate austerity measures were introduced. In Malta it was not the case. We had a Government which had foreseen the downturn and prepared for it. A Government which took measures to safeguard the econo- my and strengthen the economic base for years to follow. The certificate of the solid econ- omy was given to us be Finance Minister Professor Scicluna in Parliament during the last legis- lature, when he said the economy was strong because our predeces- sors left a solid base. That is how to tackle problems! The way Abela handles the pan- demic could very well lead to the government's - or his - downfall, though unlikely. People are fed up with the lack of action and are getting angrier seeing many flout the rules and guidelines aimed at minimising the spread of coronavirus. The Prime Minister's tenure will be marked by this pandemic. And so far, possibly also because of his inecperiencec, he is han- dling it badly. The COVID Prime Minister Prime Minister Robert Abela (right) with Deputy PM Chris Fearne