Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530881
KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt 11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 DECEMBER 2024 2024 LOOKING BACK The Muscat theatre: A return to the spotlight THE spotlight may have dimmed for former Prime Min- ister Joseph Muscat, but it never truly faded. In 2024, the Muscat theatre staged a new season as the for- mer leader edged back into the limelight. Was he plotting a brief monologue or preparing for a second act? The audience was left wondering. It all began on 7 January, when Prime Minister Robert Abela described his predecessor as a "dear friend" at a Labour Party (PL) event. The idea of Muscat's return to active politics quick- ly gained momentum, as La- bour stalwart Manuel Cuschieri asked his followers on Facebook whether Muscat should contest the European Parliament Elec- tion with Labour. The following day, Muscat left the door open for a potential MEP run when approached by MaltaToday. "I cannot ignore the people," he teased. Meanwhile, Abela expressed concern over the "exaggerat- ed" delays in the Vitals inquiry, questioning whether they were aimed at damaging the Labour Party ahead of the election. He added, "Joseph Muscat was never out of the Labour Party. I believe he has more to give to Labour. God, forbid I base my decisions on this inquiry." Muscat's campaign was al- ready in motion, with inter- views and media appearances designed to lay the groundwork for the inquiry's eventual re- lease. Meanwhile, speculation about his candidacy continued to grow, with his wife, Michelle Muscat, stating the decision rested with the PL administra- tion. Instead of dismissing the idea, Muscat entertained it for weeks, and Abela never public- ly ruled it out. At one point, the Prime Minister even said, "If his answer is yes, why should I say no to him?" The speculation peaked when Muscat made a guest appearance at Alex Agius Saliba's MEP elec- tion campaign launch at Pjazza Tritoni in Valletta. There, Mus- cat painted his resignation as a self-sacrificial act that ensured continuity within Labour, lead- ing to the election of his succes- sor, Robert Abela. Muscat spoke at almost every Labour MEP candidate's campaign, except Thomas Bajada, who was even- tually elected, and Steve Ellul. But on 26 April, the speculation ended when the PL announced its official list of candidates, and Muscat did not feature. The inquiry throws a spanner in the works On 30 April, during court pro- ceedings in Muscat's attempt to remove Magistrate Gabriella Vella from the hospital's con- cession inquiry. Franklin Calle- ja, Registrar of the Criminal Courts, testified that the inquiry had been concluded and sent to the Attorney General on 26 April. On the same day, 78 box- es of evidence were forwarded to the Attorney General. The stage was set. Abela soon accused the in- quiring magistrate of "trying to interfere in the political time- line," while Muscat dismissed the inquiry as "conjecture and a vendetta." This marked the beginning of a sustained attack by Muscat on the investigation and the magistrate leading it. With the Labour Party backing its former leader, the MEP and local council elections grew ev- er closer, and Muscat's second act seemed inevitable. On the day of Calleja's testi- mony, Muscat held a press con- ference at the Excelsior Hotel, decrying an "establishment" set on taking him down. On 6 May, reports emerged that Muscat, along with several former mem- bers of his administration, in- cluding former Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and for- mer ministers Konrad Mizzi and Edward Scicluna, would be charged in connection with the inquiry. In the days that followed, Muscat, Abela, Repubblika (the NGO that instigated the inquiry), and the Opposition all called for the inquiry to be made public. As the 2024 elections loomed, and the political discourse cen- tred on the inquiry's findings— despite the report being locked away—MaltaToday received a leak and decided to publish the inquiry just days before Muscat and others were to be charged in court. The inquiry's publication re- vealed the extent of the alleged corruption and misappropria- tion of funds under the hospi- tal concession. Two days later, on 28 May, Muscat became the first former prime minister in Malta's history to be charged with corruption, money laun- dering, and participation in a criminal organisation. A show of force After years of protests de- manding his imprisonment, it was now Muscat's turn to draw crowds to Great Siege Square. Rallied by his chief admirers— Jason Micallef and Emanuel Cuschieri—hundreds gathered outside the court building. Jour- nalists, granted police protec- tion as a precautionary measure, waited anxiously for Muscat's arrival. Shouts of "Invictus" and "Joseph, Joseph" rang through the streets of the capital. As he made his way to the front of the courthouse, the crowd erupted in cheers, waving par- ty flags and holding up photos of Muscat. He raised his fist in the air in acknowledgment, ce- menting his status as a political icon for his supporters. Political observers debat- ed whether Muscat's show of strength would galvanise the Labour grassroots or damage the party's image among mid- dle-ground voters. Some argued that the theatrics did both. Getting the band back together Muscat's return to the lime- light also saw the re-emergence of Labour's old guard. Veter- an propagandists like Emanuel Cuschieri and former secre- tary-general Jason Micallef ral- lied support for their former leader, occasionally criticising the current leadership. Micallef, who now heads the Valletta Cultural Agency, even managed to secure a place on the Labour executive in internal elections this year. Labour insiders, speaking anonymously, expressed con- cerns that Micallef's return would signal a step backward for the party. "His return means regression, not progression," they warned. Micallef, a long- time defender of Muscat, had even threatened the PN and its "extreme factions," suggesting that Muscat's political return would be their "worst night- mare." Neville Gafà, a former co- ordinator at the Office of the Prime Minister under Muscat, also made waves with his online blog, attacking the "enemies of the Labour Party and the coun- try." Despite facing charges in connection with the hospital inquiry, Gafà launched an in- tense campaign to defend both the Labour administration and Muscat, even criticising the current prime minister. This led observers to speculate that Muscat was subtly pressuring Labour's grassroots to realign with his political vision. The show goes on Joseph Muscat is set to re- main a divisive figure for years to come. With loyal allies in key positions, Abela's control over the party has weakened, while the court saga surrounding Muscat continues to unfold. The curtains have yet to fall on Muscat's political theatre. Joseph Muscat's return to the political spotlight in 2024 has ignited a new chapter in Malta's political drama. As the former prime minister faces criminal proceedings, he remains a divisive figure, rallying loyal supporters while testing the limits of Prime Minister Robert Abela's leadership