Former Malta national team coach and green entrepreneur Pippo Psaila – governor of Saint Edwards College and proud Sliema boy to boot – is a prototype of the traditional upper middle class voter: conservative, polite, slightly vain and sensitive to green issues.
His profile directly appeals for that niche of voters who love to snub the PN even if they always end up voting for them.
Psaila introduces himself as “Sliema born and bred”.
“I was born in Sliema and I lived in 159 Tower Road. At that time we used to identify ourselves by the door number… I still live opposite Stella Maris church.”
What does being ‘Sliema born and bred’ mean?
“It’s not that we are snobs (Tal-Pepe). It simply means that I was born here, I live here and am a Sliema boy.”
The PN’s latest recruit quotes Thatcherite ideologue Sir Keith Joseph when speaking on the need to “de-tax” the economy and the Bible when asked on moral choices.
Perhaps judging by the changes in the family fabric of Maltese society he could be slightly out of synch with part of his constituency.
He goes as far as saying that divorce “is not a question of rights, but a question of faith and religion,” a statement which could alienate the party’s restless liberal wing.
He comes to the interview dressed casually after giving some of his precious time to helping a friend who will be participating in the Middle Sea Race. Any kind of sports, it seems, is in Pippo’s DNA.
“I was coach of Melita (football) and Neptunes (waterpolo) in St Julian’s. I run a football school at Luxol near Pembroke. I also coached the Luxol basketball team.”
Fortunately for Pippo, and by extension for the PN, all these associations are located in the ninth and tenth districts-the two districts he will be contesting.
Psaila claims that he had no clue that he would be contesting the next election until a meeting with the Prime Minister 12 days ago.
“My candidature for the next election was as much a surprise to me as is it was to every Tom, Dick and Harry. I was never a party activist and I do not have any roots in the party.”
Psaila was still an “outsider” to the party when he was invited to address the PN’s General Council as a guest.
“I was specifically invited to lead one of the workshops because I offered an outsider’s view to the party.”
The Prime Minister’s invitation to Pippo to join the political fray took place four days after his speech in the council.
“On the following Tuesday I was on in Pierre Portelli’s programme together with Joe Saliba. He invited me for a meeting with the Prime Minister on Wednesday. I met him. We talked. They invited me to join the team of candidates contesting the election.”
Psaila had no hesitation in saying yes to Gonzi.
“Before the general council I did a lot of research and I read the 2015 vision document. I firmly agreed with the principles enshrined in this vision.”
During the same general council attended by Pippo Psaila, Investment Minister Austin Gatt lashed out at Alfred Sant insinuating that he was fit for an episode of Altered Statesman – a programme dealing with politicians who had an alcohol and drug problem.
Psaila is very evasive when asked whether he felt comfortable with Gatt’s declaration.
“I was not present during that session of the council,” was all he would comment.
When asked whether he agreed with these kind of comments, Psaila persists in avoiding the question.
“To be honest I did not hear his speech. I only heard how it was reported on the media. But not being a witness to the speech, I prefer not to comment about it. That’s my policy.”
He would only say that demonising the political adversary is not his style.
“It’s not my style. The PN’s strength lies in its ideas, vision programmes and ideas.”
Was he always a Nationalist party supporter?
“That’s a very personal question… but the reply is yes.”
Yet Psaila makes it clear that he is not fanatical when it comes to politics.
“I am not fanatical and it takes a long time to convince me. But I sincerely believe that the party’s leadership is very strong, good, focused and far reaching.”
Without even being prompted, Psaila is careful to point out that he is not saying that Gonzi is a better leader than Eddie Fenech Adami.
“I am saying that I like this sort of leadership, I also liked the other style of leadership. The only difference is that nobody had asked me to contest before. If someone had asked me before I might have been in politics for the past 30 years. Because I always agreed with the PN’s vision.”
Did he ever think of supporting Alternattiva Demokratika?
“No… but I always practiced what AD preaches. I am the only person who came with a concrete idea to produce clean fuel. Many people talk about the environment, I implemented a homemade project based on local raw material to burn clean fuel. My green credentials are there for all to see.”
Unlike many Maltese businessmen Pippo Psaila did not chose to invest in the property market.
“Our company lies on 44 tumuli of prime site development land. Yet it’s in our DNA to be industrialists. This is ingrained in us. We found a niche opportunity in bio diesel. We saw that the world wants to address global warming. We did all the research. It was a logical step for us.”
Pippo Psaila wants to see global warming on the centre stage of Malta’s agenda.
“Fortunately now there are many other private sector initiatives. But we have to make great steps in this sector.”
Yet Malta is still very far from the EU’s targets on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“Yes, but when it comes to alternative sources of energy for road transport we are faring better. We need to emulate other countries by having good legislation to act as a stimulus for this sector’s growth. Legislation must guide this culture change.”
Over the past years the government has clashed with environmentalists on many land-use issue. Does Psaila feel uneasy contesting with a party which defended an extension of Malta’s development boundaries?
“Land use is a big problem in Malta. We have to address the issue of sustainable development. Savage development is not good for anyone. We need to strike a balance. We cannot be too purist and revert to the Flintstones era, but the environment has to be safeguarded. The environment is a challenge for all Maltese people and not just the government.”
In the ninth and tenth districts, disgruntlement on cranes, noise and dust generated by ongoing construction is common. How can the government address these every day problems?
“I think that the logical solution is to enforce clear time frames for any project. It is not possible that construction goes on in any road for a very long period, especially in a tourist zone like Sliema and St Julian’s. The worst thing that happen to tourism is to turn a tourist locality into a building site.”
Pippo Psaila points out that building regulations are already in place to address this problem.
“The government has also accepted the Malta Hotels Restaurants Association’s recommendation that development should not take place in the peak season.”
While lending a greener face to the PN, Pippo Psaila does not depart from his party’s conservative moral values.
He is very wary of state recognition of cohabiting couples.
“This is a very tricky situation. I think that the church’s position is clear and the party has to follow this position. Personally I have no problem with people making their own choices… I have no problem with that… but I have to think before thinking of introducing new rights for these couples…”
What about granting cohabiting couples the same rights on housing and fiscal matters as other married couples?
“I have to see a full legislative proposal before I pronounce myself… But I do not agree that cohabiting couples should be treated in the same way as married couples. This poses moral and ethical problems.”
He is also adamantly against the introduction of divorce.
“I am completely against divorce.”
Should people not have a right to re-marry if their first marriage fails?
“This is not a question of rights but a question of faith and religion. I am not a purist. But there is phrase which says: ‘what God has joined together let no man put asunder’. Marriage is an indissoluble bond. I do not expect everyone to agree with me but these are my values.”
Pippo Psaila has very little time to build a political base in two districts contested by PN heavyweights.
“I have an advantage over other candidates as I have a national profile. I have a few weeks or months depending on the Prime Minister’s choice of date for the election.”
But is getting elected in a district contested by PN heavyweights virtually a mission impossible?
“Not in the least. My contribution goes beyond my own election. I am bringing to the team my experiences and skills. If I help in spreading the party message to ensure that the vision is implemented, it would already be a great step.”
Do you aspire to become a Minister?
“If I manage to get one single vote for my party, I will be satisfied. What happens afterwards is not something which effects me.”
He also insists that he does not consider any other PN candidate as a rival.
“I want a clean, fair campaign which is loyal to the team. I always worked in a team. Sports is based on team spirit. I want to promote the party’s vision of making the country as a centre of excellence in seven areas.”
Psaila recalls the scepticism in the football camp when he was chosen as Malta’s national coach.
“I remember that as soon as I was appointed, I knew that 80 per cent of the national team did not like the idea of a Maltese coach. I convinced them that I was the right man. If I convince the electors that I can give a contribution together with the rest of the team, my mission would be accomplished.”
The news that Pippo Psaila was contesting the elections came in the wake of another controversy involving footballer Michael Mifsud.
“I do not see any conflict of interest when sportsmen declare their political affiliations. This happens everywhere. Hollywood stars back the Democrats or Republicans. Pele became a sports minister and footballers like Gianni Rivera – a national institution in Italy also were engaged in politics.”
Yet at the same time Pippo Psaila warns that sports should not be politicised.
Will Pippo resign from his post as Director of Sport in the Olympic Committee?
“Within 20 minutes after accepting the candidature I informed my colleagues in the Olympic Committee and placed myself at their disposal. I have been involved in sports for 31 years, 23 of which at the highest level of the MFA and the Olympic committee. I do not want to throw away these 31 years. I do not want to put myself in an untenable position. The committee will take an internal decision. Personally, I want to serve. If I become a burden to them, it’s no problem for me.”
As an entrepreneur, how did he react to criticism from business entities that the government should not have imposed on them a Lm1.50 increase when the COLA mechanism had determined a 50c increase?
“COLA is always paid by the businessman and only paid by the government in the public sector. But to be fair, there are many measures in the budget which stimulate economic growth. There are so many incentives for the industrialist which make up for the COLA burden.”
He describes the budget as a very balanced one which addresses socio-economic development without putting in danger public finances.
“It stimulates economic growth while distributing with a sense of social justice what the country, through its sacrifices, had accomplished in the past three years.”
According to Psaila, the budget should not regulate the economy.
“It should act as a stimulus and at the same time bring about more social equity.”
Pippo finds inspiration in Tory MP Sir Keith Joseph, widely regarded as the “power behind the throne” in the creation of what came to be known as “Thatcherism”.
“The role of the state in the economy should not simply that of controlling the money supply to keep inflation down. It should also cut taxes and incentivise economic wealth creators: the business class. If one cuts taxes to increase consumer spending, the economy will grow.”
The PN has been in government for 20 years. If the PN wins another term it would be in government for a quarter of a century. Is this healthy for the country?
Pippo insists that only the people can decide whether the PN is past it’s expiry date.
“It’s a democratic exercise. If the people decide, their decision is final. It’s very simplistic to reduce politics to a question of time. A businessman does not give up his business after 10 or 20 years.”
He even compares the PN’s bond with the people with the sacrament of marriage.
“Is a marriage dissolved after 20 years simply because the spouses get used to each other?” asks Psaila.
While acknowledging that alternation of power is part of the “democratic injection” he warns that people should bear in mind the quality of the leadership and its “consistency, integrity and vision,” when making a choice.
“They have to look at the programme and the government’s track record.”
It is here that Psaila makes a clear distinction between Gonzi’s three years in power and the previous 17 years.
“One does not need to go back 20 years to check the government’s track record. Even if one looks at the last three years. Aren’t our finances and social fabric better than they were 3 years ago? Look at all these incentives to families and to the world of work?”
But is not all this budget bonanza “too little, too late” as the MLP is saying?
“They must have a crystal ball as they prepared the billboards even before the PM opened his mouth. In this case they had a vision as they anticipated the budget. This budget is far from ‘too little, too late’. It encompasses such a wide spectrum of society and day to day living. Tell me which sector has not seen an improvement. Couples jointly earning Lm12,000 will see an extra Lm600.”
But is all this bonanza not coming very late in the day on the eve of an election?
According to Psaila, had the Prime Minister wanted to use the budget as an electoral platform he would have been even more generous. Instead he lauds Gonzi for building strong foundations before distributing wealth.
“If I want to build the Portomaso tower, don’t I have to build strong foundations? How can I build such an edifice on a running deficit, a galloping inflation and a structurally weak economy?”
According to Psaila Gonzi had first “to tighten the belt to strengthen the country’s backbone”.
“The budget was a progression of the country’s strategic direction. It represented the linear evolution of a cycle which started three years ago with the restoration of the country’s finances.”
Yet back in 2003, before the PN government started to address the deficit, the people were told by an electoral bill board that the country’s finances were “on solid footing”. Why should we believe the PN government now?
“Today, we have joined the big EU club of 27 nations. One of our obligations was to join the Euro, and this meant being scrutinised whether we are really following financial parameters. Today, our finances are constantly under scrutiny. They make no exception to anyone, be it Germany, Italy or Malta. Had the budget put under strain what we gained in the past three years, the EU would have taken note. We surely cannot put at risk all the sacrifices made by the Maltese people.”