Editorial • March 7 2004

A new beginning

Following Lawrence Gonzi’s election as the new leader of the Nationalist Party and Eddie Fenech Adami’s announcement to leave Prime Ministerial office and Parliament after the appointment of a new deputy leader, the way has been paved for change.
The next few weeks will see the appointment of a new Prime Minister, a new Cabinet, a new President of Malta and a new deputy leader of The Nationalist Party. It should be the beginning of a new era. It will especially be so if, as hoped, Lawrence Gonzi really has a new Cabinet and does not simply carry out an exercise of musical chairs, or worse still leaves all the remaining ministers in their same portfolio.
Circumstances and political wisdom dictate that Lawrence Gonzi does not run a Government that is merely a continuation of the Fenech Adami administration. He has an opportunity being the leader of a new Government to make a reassessment of the priorities of Government. The change must not simply be one of style, by being less confrontational, but it must also be one of substance and content.
We firmly believe that the situation can only take a positive turn if a new approach is introduced. It must mean appointing persons on Government boards on the basis of meritocracy and not party affiliation, running a fair public broadcasting service which is not simply the mouthpiece of Government and of course running a less partisan party media.
We sincerely hope that these positive changes form part of the agenda of the Chief executive, the ball is clearly in his court to start doing politics differently.
On the economic front, there is many a bold decision that needs to be taken. It is time for hard decisions and much will be expected and awaited from Dr Gonzi.
The Prime Minister should consider retaining his most competent cabinet ministers.
Most especially the new leader should clearly define and give a new meaning to the term inclusivity. Should this not include drawing on all the resources in the country including of persons with Labour affiliations? Will this be a Government for all Maltese and Gozitan persons? Will he destroy the two tribal system so prevalent in our country? Will he reintroduce a meaningful debate on electoral reform and perhaps see to it that the suggestion in the commission which he chaired some years back will be implemented?
Much can be achieved so long as a new beginning and not simply a business as usual frame of mind takes over. The more of the same syndrome would be lethal. It will simply throw Government and the economy into further inertia.
In the coming months, Malta will be facing more hurdles as it adjusts to European Union membership. There are going to be tough decisions to be had that are unpopular and require stamina and foresight. Decisions that go beyond winning electoral support at the polls but more to do with driving this nation forward.