Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/421389
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2014 6 News BACK in December 2012, just weeks before the general election, Labour leader Joseph Muscat took the unprecedented step of asking his party's deputy leader, Anglu Far- rugia, to step down, ostensibly for comments he passed insinuating that a decision by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli on corrupt practices dur- ing the 2008 general elections, could have been politically motivated. Muscat's call was made in the wake not only of those comments, but also of a dismal performance by Farrugia during a TV debate with his oppo- site number in the Nationalist Party, Simon Busuttil, who had just been elected deputy leader and had out- gunned Farrugia. This was spun by the Labour party organ Maltastar as "a lesson in ac- countability for GonziPN", describ- ing "this resignation as a sharp con- trast to the way GonziPN has dealt with blunders by government Min- isters". In so doing Muscat set a yardstick by which he could be measured should he be elected Prime Minis- ter – namely that none of his min- isters should take their position for granted. Subsequently, the charismatic Lou- is Grech, who was more palatable to middle of the road voters, replaced Farrugia and Labour's campaign was brought back on track. The message sent to the electorate was that Mus- cat was not afraid of taking tough de- cisions even if this meant offending his closest collaborators. If Muscat could remove a deputy over a poor performance in a TV debate, he would be even more decisive when faced with mismanagement or im- proprieties. Others interpreted Farrugia's sack- ing as proof that Muscat would do anything to win power, even if it meant ditching a close collaborator over his performance in a TV de- bate, but clearly the electorate was more likely to see this as evidence of Muscat's zero tolerance for incom- petence. Moreover the sacking also repre- sented a definitive break between old Labour, represented by Farrugia, and the new middle class friendly party represented by Muscat, Grech and star candidates like Manuel Mallia. Despite earning Farrugia's resent- ment, with the latter speaking out in the middle of the campaign about the influence of big contractors on Labour, Muscat ultimately emerged stronger in the eyes of former Na- tionalist voters who were on the verge of crossing the Rubicon. Appeasement or ruthless efficiency? Still, upon being elected Muscat started showing another more ac- commodating side. The offended Farrugia, who was deemed not suf- ficiently eloquent to run as deputy leader, was approached, placated, and subsequently appointed to the position of parliamentary Speaker. Moreover Muscat also appointed the largest cabinet in Maltese his- tory, in what was seen as an attempt to keep everyone happy. Even back- benchers who were left out were given public appointments. Still Muscat retained his decisive streak in his first cabinet reshuffle, which resulted in the removal from cabinet of former health Minister Godfrey Farrugia after the latter re- fused the offer of another ministry. Godfrey Farrugia did not face any allegations of improper behaviour but was axed for administrative shortcomings just a year after be- ing appointed. It was a clear case of Muscat expecting better results in the health sector. Moreover Muscat also kicked up- stairs two popular veteran party stal- warts; Marie Louise Coleiro Preca who was promoted to the presidency and Karmenu Vella who was nomi- nated European commissioner. While Coleiro Preca's ascendancy to the presidential throne has been a popular choice, her absence in the cabinet has weakened the govern- ment's socialist credentials. Snowballing effect? It was during the past few weeks that Muscat was faced with three cases of allegations of improper be- haviour and in all three cases Muscat has stood by his ministers. The first case he faced involved Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli, a minister who has delivered by spearheading legislation on civil unions and gender identity, and is drafting an integration policy for mi- grants. Muscat was presented with solid evidence that illegal works were be- ing carried out on a property owned by Pada Ltd, a company owned by Helena Dalli and her husband Patrick. "Helena Dalli has explained that the place is covered by a promise of sale agreement and the works were not done by her but the person who is buying the property," Muscat said by way of defence. But when asked whether this was acceptable behaviour by a minister, Muscat acknowledged, "things can always be done better". While surely an embarrassment for the government, in the absence of proof that the works were di- rectly carried out by the Dallis, the case amounts to an oversight and the minister's failure to rid herself of financial interests in a construc- tion company, which has returned to haunt her. In this sense Muscat may well have weighed her positive contribution to government and her oversight. The case also exposes Muscat's failure to enforce a code of ethics on his ministers, which prevents the oc- currence of similar incidents. Muscat was also faced with allega- tions of conflicts of interest against Labour MP Luciano Busuttil who currently chairs the National Sports Council. The allegations surfaced in a sen- tence of the Appeals Court which annulled a waste contract awarded by the Cospicua council, and ordered that Busuttil be investigated for "se- rious allegations" that he had advised the council to disqualify a bidder to favour his client. The court also sent a copy of its judgment to the Attorney General, the Director of Contracts and the Commission for the Administration of Justice for the necessary investiga- tions to be carried out. Since Busuttil is not a cabinet member, Muscat is under less pres- sure to take immediate action in this case. Moreover an investigation is ongoing. The Prime Minister said he would leave it to the commission to carry out its investigation. "I will not enter into the merits of the case… Busuttil has said he was not advising the winning bidder at the time," he said. Muscat may have appeared more resolute had he asked Busuttil to resign from chairman of the Malta Sports Council until the investiga- tion is concluded. How a 'shoot-out' eclipsed the Budget But both Dalli's and Busuttil's cases pale in significance when compared to the media impact of a shooting in- cident involving the driver of Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia, which completely eclipsed a relative- ly good budget. So instead of selling the budget the Prime Minister finds himself answer- ing questions on an incident which is reminiscent of a banana republic. For this was the kind of incident which captures the imagination which solidifies perceptions of an anything goes culture. It risks becoming the talk of the town during the Christmas season, a time when perceptions solidify dur- ing staff parties and family meetings. Moreover, the leader of the op- position has put the onus on Joseph Muscat by asking him to fire Mallia. It was a smart move. For Busuttil managed to pre-emp- tively limit Muscat's options to two: either follow the cue of the opposi- tion and sack Mallia or keep him and appear weak. Busuttil has also effectively pre- vented Muscat from taking the initi- ative himself either by sacking Mallia without having been told to do so, or by rebuking his minister without fir- ing him, or by simply finding another scapegoat within Mallia's ministry. The latter option may still be open for Muscat. For the inquiry may well find short- comings in the ministry which are Pressure on Muscat: from Three months before the general election Muscat earned a reputation for ruthlessness when he removed his own deputy leader just days after the latter fumbled in a TV debate. Is Muscat showing the first signs of weakness by keeping Manuel Mallia? asks JAMES DEBONO Anglu Farrugia: Muscat was ruthless enough to get rid of what turned out to be a political liability on the eve of the election over comments he passed on a member of the judiciary Long road, short career: Godfrey Farrugia, seen here walking up to Girgenti Palace where Muscat's cabinet reshuffle took place, prompted by the health minister's resignation