Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1472276
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 JULY 2022 10 NEWS JAMES DEBONO AFTER being elected on his own steam with a super-majority, Robert Abela has shunned the limelight (and a good part of the press) to focus on management amidst a global crisis triggered by war in Ukraine which brought inflation pressures to the fore. Like Lawrence Gonzi during the financial crisis after 2008, Abela portrays himself as a no-nonsense PM with a steady pair of hands presiding the coun- try in testing times. Compared with a shambolic opposition and the excesses of his predecessor, Abela gives peace of mind which may well give the country some respite. Crowning achievements and lingering problems The removal of Malta from the FATF greylist boosted the gov- ernment's credentials in taking the necessary action to restore Malta's reputation. For by re- moving Malta from the greyl- ist in the space of a year, FATF has certified concerted action to address various shortcomings in controlling the flow of dirty money. Yet this was not matched in similar zeal for reforms aimed at fighting corruption, regulat- ing lobbying and limiting the number persons of trust, as con- firmed by the latest report by the Council of Europe anti-corrup- tion watchdog GRECO. And the lack of progress in solving the various mysteries related to vari- ous spin-offs of Panamagate and Daphne Caruana Galizia's assas- sination risk leaving the country in a state of collective amne- sia, as the events leading to the In his 100 days since his first electoral mandate, Abela has presented himself as safe pair of hands in a time of crisis but controversy simmering as various issues is bound to test Labour's cohesion in the next months. James Debono looks back at the past 100 days 100 days of Abela: Life in soporific times he lack of progress in solving the various mysteries related to various spin-offs of Panamagate and Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination risk leaving the country in a state of collective amnesia