Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1517369
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MARCH 2024 ANALYSIS IT is no longer a question of whether Joseph Muscat intends to withdraw from political life or not. One thing is sure after last Sat- urday's address in a mass rally organised by Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba: Joseph Muscat's po- litical hibernation is over. Irrespective of whether he will contest the MEP election in June, Joseph Muscat has returned to the political centre stage. And he intends to stay there, ei- ther as his party's self-appointed spiritual leader or as the next head of the party's MEP delegation in Brussels. Until he decides what to do, Muscat has found a pulpit offered to him by loyalists in the party from which he can stoke the fires of nostalgia for 'the best of times', at a time when Robert Abela is facing the mid-term blues. Contesting for a seat in Brussels will give Muscat one last hurrah in the form of a record-breaking tal- ly of votes and the chance to beat Roberta Metsola. The second op- tion gives Muscat the opportunity to project himself as the magnan- imous former leader who is self- lessly campaigning for the party, in a bid to win back disgruntled Labour voters now intent on not voting. Either way, Muscat stands to benefit from increased legitimacy, either as his party's front runner or as the architect of yet another stratospheric victory. And while the outcome of his candidacy is sure success, helping Labour win back its disgruntled voters is an even greater challenge. In short if Labour wins big again, the victory will carry Muscat's sig- nature irrespective if he is on the ballot or not. "The question is not whether Joseph is running or not… the question is whether you will go out to vote." This is how Muscat succinctly phrased this sentiment on Saturday night in what was a strong hint that standing as a can- didate is not the only option he is considering. If Muscat does succeed in gal- vanising Labour voters through carefully chosen public appear- ances, he may well save Abela's day, earning the gratitude of sup- porters for what they will perceive as a self-less act. Whether Abela wants this 'gift' or not is another matter altogether. What is still not clear is wheth- er Muscat is calling the shots for Abela or whether the two leaders have come to a common mutually beneficial understanding. One leader, one pope Surely one should never under- estimate the pull electoral glory has on all politicians particularly on narcissists like Muscat, who reportedly sports a tattoo with the word Invictus inscribed on his right bicep. But Muscat's priority may well be that of sealing his place as the party's undisputed pope - the leader who despite lacking formal executive powers is still able to shape his party's identity. Key to his informal power in La- bour is his ability to push his own people, the loyalists who help him fend off the greatest danger he fac- es; a slow erosion in the respect he enjoys within the party. Such a fall from grace would be disastrous for Muscat depriv- ing him of the protection offered by the party which shields him from detractors. Muscat's worst nightmare is not Robert Aquilina taunting him on Facebook but Robert Abela turning his back on him. Will Joseph Muscat stand as an MEP candidate, or will he assume a non-official role as the party's spiritual leader who can lure back the disgruntled? In any case he is likely to overshadow Robert Abela by stoking nostalgia for the 'best of times'. James Debono delves into the Muscat paradox. Joseph Muscat's choice: Pope Joseph Muscat with his wife Michelle