Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1432205
9 ANALYSIS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 NOVEMBER 2021 in the first year of a renewed Labour government, when the Opposition will probably still be reeling from a third consecutive defeat. Abela's millstone What remains problematic for Abela is the Muscat legacy and the persistent presence of Konrad Mizzi, something which is very apparent from the 'neu- trality' of Labour MPs in the public accounts committee quizzing Mizzi on the Electrogas contract. Labour MPs have also been coy in 'rep- rimanding' fellow MP Rosianne Cutajar who was found guilty of an ethics breach. The Standards Committee reprimand is without consequences for Cutajar. Yet, by keeping the spotlight on these issues, it is the Opposition which has to be careful not to sound too divisive by engaging in shouting matches, on an issue from which it rarely benefitted in electoral terms. A major problem for the PN is how to keep interest in a series of scandals involving the peo- ple we have been hearing about for the past five years while not sounding like a broken record. Within this context, Abela still man- ages to perform an incredible acro- batic feat. He gives the impression of change to voters who resent Mus- cat's legacy while keeping loyalists on board. Abela manages to do this by setting a safe distance between him- self and his predecessor without actu- ally reneging him. The problem for Abela is that time is catching up with him and people are wondering why nobody has been ar- raigned on corruption cases involving past Labour ministers and officials like Konrad Mizzi. While people are keen on switching off to enjoy an early Christmas, possibly to compensate for last year's missed festiv- ities, this period is also of crucial polit- ical importance, being the time of the year when extended families and friends get together, possibly also reinforc- ing perceptions on politics and the approaching election. This is why it is important for parties to end the year on a positive note. And this may be one more reason for Abela to avoid contro- versy and for Grech to try and leave a final mark. Although, even here Ab- ela can afford to keep the PN guessing on whether a quick campaign awaits them in the winter months ahead or whether the electoral ap- pointment will come in late spring.