Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/288366
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 2 APRIL 2014 News 5 of public health care also raises questions. Judging from the experience of other countries like the UK, hiving off public health services to the private sector may bring more ef- ficiency but also re- sults in a deterioration of working conditions of health professionals employed in farmed-out services, increased fragmentation of care and the introduction of the profit motive in healthcare. For even if the service remains free, powerful commercial interests will expect a dividend and may well end up being subsidised by the taxpayer. Moreover, while Enemalta is widely seen as a burden, and de- spite problems of bed shortages and waiting lists that plague health systems all over the world, Malta's health system is a good one. One obvious problem is whether it is wise to put two complex and completely different sectors under the leadership of one minister. This makes the appointment of Chris Fearne as parliamentary secretary more significant. With Mizzi in charge of the overall managerial plan, it will be Fearne who will be expected to face the reactions of fellow doctors, nurses and the pri- vate sector to his Minister's plans. The return of a former deputy leader It was Godfrey Far- rugia's refusal to take the Social Policy portfolio that opened up a ministerial vacancy for par- liamentary sec- retary Michael Farrugia and a Cabinet open- ing for former PL deputy leader Michael Falzon. Having dabbled as health minister between 1996 and 1998, as social policy spokesperson un- der Sant in opposition and as IT spokesperson under Muscat in op- position, Michael Farrugia stands out as one of the most f lexible ele- ments in Muscat's Cabinet. The appointment of former La- bour deputy leader and leader- ship challenger Michael Falzon to the Cabinet as a junior minister working directly in the Office of the Prime Minister is particularly sig- nificant. The fact that Falzon will be entrusted with planning and lands suggests that he is now fully trusted by the Prime Minister. Still, this appointment may well prove to be a poisoned chalice for Falzon, who may find himself bogged down in a hornet's nest of a sector where decisions result in massive financial gains or losses. Falzon is c e r t a i n l y not entirely green in his new port- folio. He was already serving as a commis- sioner respon- sible for reduc- ing government bureaucracy and was involved in the planning process af- ter he was controversially chosen to prepare a policy on fireworks facto- ries, despite his role as lawyer of the pyrotechnics association. His appointment may well repre- sent another important victory for the fireworks lobby. During his term in of- fice, Farrugia was re- sponsible for shifting the goalposts in fa- vour of developers in a number of sectors ranging from tour- ism development to fireworks. As lands minister he was also responsible for the amicable €4.2 million bailout of the Premier Café in Valletta. Moreover, while Farrugia stands out for his courteous manners and media-friendly demeanour, Falzon may be more abrasive when criti- cised. It remains to be seen whether Muscat expects continuity with business-friendly decisions taken by Farrugia or whether Falzon's appointment represents the PM's unease with the way Farrugia was digging his heels in the planning sector. It will be interesting to see how the business-friendly Farrugia will fit in the shoes of the socialist Coleiro Preca and whether he shares her passion for the underprivi- leged. C u r i o u s l y Muscat has not opted for the simpler solu- tion of extending Helena Dalli's civil liberties portfolio, considering her back- ground as a sociologist and left-wing political orientation. The unstoppable rise of Owen Bonnici Owen Bonnici's rise to the Cabi- net at the tender age of 33 may well suggest that the young lawyer is on his way to a future leadership role in the Labour Party. Being one of the few who com- bines efficiency and charisma with a degree of ideologi- cal consist- ency, Bon- nici emerges as one of the most solid members of the Cabinet even if he comes across as lacking the ruthless- ness normally associated with rising stars. Over the past few months, Bon- nici showed a shrewder side of his character in parliament's fuel procurement com- mittee and he also out- shined Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia in defending the controversial citizenship pro- gramme. As PS, Bonnici has delivered by present- ing a whistleblowers' act and a White Paper on party financing. He is also presiding over a reform of the justice system through a com- mittee chaired by respected former judge Giovanni Bonello. In the coming months, he is ex- pected to spearhead a major over- haul of drug laws, which reinforces Labour's progressive cre- dentials on social liberties. Muscat's deci- sion to include culture in his p o r t f o l i o grants the cultural sec- tor a higher profile, thus gaining the g o v e r n m e n t brownie points in a sector that has been lukewarm to the government's deci- sions in its first year in office, par- ticularly after the appointment of Jason Micallef as chairperson for the Valletta 2018 Foundation. Still, Muscat lost another occa- sion to appoint a minister focused entirely on culture, which remains twinned to an unrelated ministry. But Bonnici may well have the drive to focus on both justice and culture, ensuring that culture does not re- main the Cinderel- la of other min- istries. Surely, if culture is given the i mpor t a nce it deserves, like Kon- rad Mizzi, Bonnici will find him- self leading a super-m i n i st r y. This gives Bon- nici a launching pad to present himself as a reform- ist minister who can leave an im- print on both the cultural and legal fronts. Recognition of a stalwart The nomination of Vella as Malta's next European Commissioner can be interpreted as Mus- cat's recognition of the contribution given by the 63-year-old La- bour stalwart. Elected in par- liament in every election since 1976 and still one of the most popular and capable ministers in the Cabinet, Vella's appointment comes across as a sign of recog- nition for a politician who is at the end of his career. Yet the nomination represents a big test to Vella, who will have to face the grilling of MEPs before his appointment. A seasoned and capa- ble politician by Maltese standards, Vella may lack the eloquence and sharp wit expected on such occa- sions. But his appointment leaves other veterans like 72-year-old Foreign Minister George Vella – whose name was already touted for the presidency – in the cold. It also leaves out Edward Scicluna, whose name was also touted for the role of commissioner in the Ministry of Finance. Karmenu Vella's designation as Malta's nominee for the Commis- sion comes across as a bit prema- ture considering that the current Commission's term expires in Oc- tober. The nomination of Vella will also be presented to the new Presi- dent of the Commissioner as a fait accompli. But by nominating Vella now, Muscat has avoided speculation on another reshuff le by the end of the year. It also deprives the Cabinet of Vella's experience as one of the few Cabinet members who served under Dom Mintoff and Kar- menu Mifsud Bonnici, leav- ing Leo Brin- cat as the sole survivor from old Labour times. M o r e o v e r , despite his as- sociation with old Labour, Mal- taToday surveys showed Vella as be- ing the second most popular minister among PN voters. The appointment of the business- friendly Edward Zammit Lewis ensures continuity in the tourism sector. But it remains to be seen whether Zammit Lewis can meas- ure up to the expectations of the hotel industry which has over the years become one of Malta's strong- est lobbies. The rise of Konrad and Owen Top: Michael Falzon and Chris Agius; centre: Chris Fearne and Karmenu Vella; bottom: Justyne Caruana and Franco Mercieca