Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/744537
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2016 8 The lure of the strongman Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is a natural-born orator, speaking through parables like Dom Mintoff (comparing Simon Busuttil's eco- nomics to the servant who buried the talent given to him by his mas- ter, instead of trading it to make more talents) and working himself up to crescendos through pauses and gesturing in a way reminiscent of Lawrence Gonzi. But his constant belittling of the Opposition leader, whom he con- stantly ridicules, makes him look less as a statesman and more of a caudillo whose primary mission re- mains that of vanquishing the ene- my. His body language exudes con- fidence, but risks being perceived as a strongman who lacks caution. His reference to the "brands" people wear and which restaurants they frequent at weekends as indicators of their well-being provides an in- sight in the worldview of a leader who may be in synch with popular aspirations, but who is a consumer- ist at heart. He congratulates himself as a good salesman and gives the im- pression that for him the end (work and prosperity) justifies the means. But do people want a salesman who is willing to bargain the nation's assets at Castille, or do they prefer someone who applies the brakes to avoid hanky-panky by those around him? Opposition leader Simon Bu- suttil asks: would you buy a second- hand car from someone like Mus- cat without expecting a catch? Busuttil's delivery remains mod- est, albeit less stiff and robotic than in the first two years of his leader- ship. His speech contained a lot of pertinent messages but no main salient focus and Busuttil still finds difficulty to convey outrage and an- ger without losing his composure. Moreover Busuttil still lacks Eddie Fenech Adami's gravitas when he wants the country to stop and think about the risks it faces. But his lack of machismo may well turn out to be an asset if con- trasted against Muscat's caudillo image among strategic categories of moderate voters who cringe at an overbearing PM. Busuttil's empha- sis on quality of life and future sus- tainability distinguishes him from the PM's more populist approach to politics. He clearly needs to build on this. A clash of two narratives Muscat seemed more at ease with his conscience in this budget than in previous ones, simply because he has managed to distribute more wealth to those who are worse off. He takes pride in doing so "without taking anything from anyone". He gives the impression of being a man with a plan; someone who first sta- bilised the economy and let it grow and who now can use this wealth to improve lives. For him wealth distribution is only possible now because there is a pro business government. What he does not say is that oil prices have fallen to a third the price paid dur- ing the Gonzi era. Muscat comes across as someone who genuinely wants to improve the living stand- ards of everyone as he presented an impressive list, which includes removing taxes paid by pensioners. But he does not seem to care much how these aims are achieved. Therefore he dismisses concerns on the future sustainability of pen- sions and the need of an obligatory second pillar. While it is true that this would involve an increase in insurance contributions, as Muscat pointed out, the state can pay for the increase in contributions paid by low income earners. Moreo- ver low income earners are those whose future pensions are most at stake. Muscat may have a plan but it is not clear whether this goes beyond his tenure at Castille. The catch in all this is that to keep up with ris- ing social spending and keep money flowing into its coffers, the govern- ment has to keep business, includ- ing construction and real estate, going at turbo speed. Muscat is so conditioned by business interests that while saying he personally agrees with a revision of the mini- mum wage he would not make the revision unless all social partners agree to it. One may well ask: if not now, a time of economic growth, when? But while Muscat may be a pris- oner of his own pro-business logic, it is hard for Simon Busuttil to gen- erate enthusiasm for his text book vision of an "economy for the peo- ple", "social justice", "a good qual- ity of life" and "good governance" – which he referred to as the four pillars for a future PN-led govern- ment. He is more convincing in contrasting Muscat's concern with the "here and now" with the op- position's concern for long term sustainability and its readiness to confront future challenges, such as pension reform. Busuttil also exposes the risks posed by Muscat's 'turbo econom- ics', namely the risk of a property bubble and over-dependence on sectors like gaming while ignoring small businesses and manufactur- ing. But in so doing Busuttil, who had once incorrectly predicted a Greek-style bailout if Muscat were elected to power, risks being seen as a wet blanket or a latter-day Cassandra. No wonder the PM dis- missed him as "a bird of bad omen". Budget 2017 In his bullish and formidable speech on Wednesday, Joseph Muscat boasted of getting things done in "turbo" speed, dismissing Simon Busuttil as the "bird of ill omen" for his scathing critique of the dangers of Muscat's here-and-now economics and self-serving governance 'Turbo' Joe vs 'doomsday' Simon Delivery Social categories most mentioned Pensioners/elderly 13 Businesses 10 New Middle Class 11 People ('nies') 9 Disabled 8 Your family 6 Maltese and Gozitans 6 Emancipation of women 6 Young people 6 Gozo 5 Gays/Civil unions 3 Issues Work ('xoghol') 19 Trust 11 Distribution of wealth 11 Lower Utility Bills 11 Direction 9 Minimum wage 9 Talent 8 Stipends 7 Corruption 7 Poverty 7 Social budget 6 Interconnector 6 Abuse in social benefits 6 Ambition 5 Child care 5 Corruption 5 Rents 5 Immigration 4 Gas Tanker 4 Medicines 4 Traffic 4 Social justice 4 Cohabitation 3 Prosperity 3 Environment 3 American University 3 Quality of life 3 Cost of living 2 Black economy 1 Targets/Attacks on opposition Busuttil's negativity 6 Scaremongering on tanker 5 Busuttil's 'ignorance' 4 Parable of talents (opposition leader as servant who buried talents) 4 Oil scandal 3 Positive references Caritas 10 Social partners 2 Lawrence Gonzi 1 Albert Fenech 1 Sai Mizzi 1 Keywords "This budget did not take anything from anyone and gave to everyone while thinking mostly about those most in need" "Under the PN everything was going with slow motion, we are going at turbo speed" "What you need are not more laws but a good salesman who brings work to the country. I am proud of doing this job for the country" "On corruption the people agree with what Simon Busuttil is saying, but they don't believe him… they expect better from us but they do not expect any better from you." What Joseph said JAMES DEBONO