Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/628647
8 Tim Diacono The Nationalist Party should rediscover its roots as a centre- left party, PN secretary general Rosette Thake said. "PN administrations had in- troduced concepts such as soli- darity and dialogue, and had in- troduced measures to take care of vulnerable people," she said in Monday's edition of the current affairs programme 'Reporter'. "Labour has shifted signifi- cantly to the right, in favour of people with big money." She was responding to com- ments by former PN MP Noel Buttigieg Scicluna, who said that the Opposition party must "rediscover its centre-left voca- tion, in light of the Labour gov- ernment's bias towards contrac- tors and easy-money solutions, such as the sale of passports". Programme host Saviour Bal- zan argued that several contrac- tors who are now close to the PL were similarly close to previ- ous PN administrations, under which they had purchased pub- lic land at "ridiculous rates". here, Thake insisted that the PN does not intend to adopt an anti-business stance, only a stance in favour of honest rela- tionships between the govern- ment and business. "The PN only criticises busi- ness people who appear to have the power to get whatever they want under the Labour govern- ment, such as Marco Gaffarena and the Cafe Premier's former owner," she said. "The PN believes that contrac- tors have an important role to play in our plans for responsible development." Thake, appearing in her first TV interview since her appoint- ment as secretary general last year, insisted that the party's long-term restructuring plans are on track but warned that miracles cannot be performed overnight. She referred to surveys pub- lished by MaltaToday on Sunday that indicate that the popularity gap between the PL and the PN has shrunk to below three per- centage points. The Prime Min- ister nevertheless enjoys a com- manding 8.7 point lead in trust over Opposition leader Simon Busuttil. Labour candidate and Malta Freeport Authority CeO Aaron Farrugia hailed the trust gap, arguing that they are made the more significant in that they were registered midway during the legislature, when govern- ments' ratings are typically at their lowest. "The survey results prove that Muscat still represents an entire movement, more than simply a political party," he said. his claims were brushed off by Thake, who counter-argued that the Prime Minister "has managed to create a movement against him", referring to strong opposition by civil society against plans to develop Zonqor Point in Marsaskala. "One must bear in mind that Muscat had started off his legis- lature with a 17 point trust lead, so the fact that it now stands at only 8.7 points is quite signifi- cant," she said. "The survey re- sults fill me with courage, as it is clear that the public is respond- ing to the PN's message." She vehemently denied Far- rugia's claims that Busuttil's stance is too negative and divi- sive, pointing to the recent pub- lications of the PN's documents on the economy and good gov- ernance as signs of a pro-active Opposition. "If the government is steam- rolling over everyone, should we keep our mouths shut so as not to appear aggressive or nega- tive?" she asked. "Also, we shouldn't keep our mouths shut about issues of concern, simply because pre- vious PN administrations had made similar mistakes." Balzan questioned whether the PN's calls for good governance, transparency and meritocracy will ultimately fall on deaf ears, given the strong economic per- formances under Muscat's gov- ernment. "The people care about having an honest government that fol- lows its pre-electoral pledges," Thake countered. "The PL gov- ernment made the right decision by lowering electricity rates, but it has simultaneously kept fuel prices high. "It is clear that Labour's elec- tion campaign was not based on genuine promises to the public but on pre-electoral promises to certain people." PN media must be 'more intelligent' Questioned whether the PN media simply preaches to con- verted die-hard Nationalist sup- porters, Thake admitted that it must become "more intelligent and unbiased", while remain- ing the tool "through which the party delivers its message to the public". "We are already moving in that direction," she said, referring to OPM official Glenn Beding- field's recent appearance on a political debate show. Later, she said that she would ideally like to see the abolition of both NeT TV and Labour party station ONe, a stance that has also been advocated by Busuttil. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 20 JANuArY 2016 News Pn secretary-general wants party to 'return to centre-left roots' PN secretary general Rosette Thake with Opposition leader Simon Busuttil Malta welcomes formation of new Libyan government maT Thew Vella The Maltese government has welcomed the formation of the Libyan Govern- ment of National Accord by the Presi- dency Council, following the signing of the agreement in Skhirat, Morocco last December. Latest developments in Libya are be- ing discussed today during a Senior Of- ficials Meeting with the United Nations' Special Representative, Martin Kobler, in Rome, at which Malta is actively par- ticipating. Foreign minister George Vella hailed yesterday's development as a very im- portant step towards the general stabi- lisation of Libya. "I appeal to those who remain hesitant on endorsing UN efforts to look at the possibility of engagement in this proc- ess. At the same time, the international community should keep all doors of dia- logue open to ensure that the process becomes an all-inclusive one." Malta recently hosted the parliamen- tary speakers from the two warring fac- tions in Libya, the heads of the house of Representatives in Tobruk and the Gen- eral National Congress in Tripoli, ahead of the signing of the Skhirat agreement that appointed Faiez Serraj as head of the GNA. Not all MPs attended the signing of the agreement, and the GNA has not yet taken its seat of power in Tripoli. The eU said that it was now for the house of Representatives and its Presi- dency to show the same spirit of com- promise and sense of leadership, to promptly convene to endorse the pro- posed Cabinet. "Libya is at a critical juncture and it is crucial that all key political and secu- rity actors uphold the interests of their country and its people above all others. Only a united Libyan government, sup- ported by all its citizens, will be able to end political divisions, defeat terrorism, and address the numerous security, hu- manitarian and economic challenges the country faces," the eU's high representa- tive, Francesca Mogherini said. "The eU, as re-confirmed yesterday by eU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Af- fairs Council, stands ready to support the GNA once in place to accompany the Libyan people in their search for peace and stability in their country."