Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1517531
11 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MARCH 2024 'Rudderless, out of hand and fireworks' But the source refrained from drawing any conclusions on the impact a Muscat return could have on Abela's stature. "A Joseph Muscat candidature would almost guarantee a Labour victory but it is still early to pass judgement because we have to see whether he contests at all," the source said. Meanwhile, when addressing the enthusiastic crowd at Agius Saliba's launch event, Muscat gave no hint as to what his intentions are. The only refer- ence was when he told people that the most important thing was not what he was going to do, with reference to the 8 June election, but what they will do. It was a call for Labour voters to go out and vote. People close to the former Labour leader, who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity believe he will not contest the European election but nonetheless insist Muscat may still harbour the ambition to obtain a record number of votes and in the process, beat the Nationalist Party's Roberta Metsola. Second thoughts on Rosianne Cutajar's return It remains unclear what the current state of play is and several people in the PL who spoke to MaltaToday are un- sure what the party leader is thinking. There is uncertainty all around with some even pointing a finger at the man- ner by which the Prime Minister has left Rosianne Cutajar hanging on a thread. Cutajar was forced to leave the party and become an independent MP after details of WhatsApp exchanges she had with murder suspect Yorgen Fenech were published last year. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister opened the door for Cutajar's return to the party, insisting she had paid the price for her misdemeanours. However, two months down the line it appears Abela is having second thoughts. With Emanuel Cuschieri constant- ly singing the praises for Muscat and building expectations among Labour supporters; with Muscat adopting the language and mannerisms of a lead- er when addressing a candidate's rally; with Abela failing to publicly address the Muscat conundrum and delaying Rosianne Cutajar's comeback; with the party's deputy leaders and senior ad- ministration in apparent hibernation, Labour functionaries and supporters have been left in the lurch on what will happen. A veteran foot soldier, who has mili- tated in the PL for decades told Malt- aToday that people like him have also been left in the dark on key decisions that could impact the party. "Nobody knows what Emanuel Cus- chieri is talking about and whether Joseph Muscat is going to be a candi- date or not but most of all, many in the rank and file are hurt by the decision to leave Rosianne Cutajar out in the cold," the source said. "The PL will do bad- ly in Qormi and the Prime Minister's flip-flopping on the issue is only making things worse." He insisted Cutajar is still a well-loved politician in her hometown and voters will punish the party in local elections next June. The source added that the party's ad- ministration is in a slumber and discon- nected from the people on the ground. "Many like me feel like strangers at il-kwartieri," he said. Matthew Vella contributed to this report. Top left: Happy times: The 2022 election victory gave Robert Abela electoral legitimacy but since then Labour's façade has been exhibiting cracks. Bottom left: The Prime Minister opened his hands to a possible return for Rosianne Cutajar to the Labour parliamentary group but two months down the line no formal decision has yet been taken. Above:: Stealing the limelight: Joseph Muscat addressed Alex Agius Saliba's campaign rally as if he was a party leader in waiting.